Dr Hannah Ridge

Chapman University

Bio

Dr. Hannah M. Ridge (she/her) is an assistant professor of political science at Chapman University. She was previously a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Pozen Center at the University of Chicago. She completed her PhD in Political Science at Duke University and an MA in Middle East Studies from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on public opinion, democracy, and ethno-religion politics. She has published extensively on Middle East politics.

Natural-Born Israelis and the Ingathering of the Exiles

Abstract

Israel’s Declaration of Independence states that the new country would be a place for the “ingathering of the exiles.” It was meant to draw in Jews from around the world. Most Israelis are descended from recent “ingathered” immigrants. Nonetheless, a sizable minority of Jewish Israelis believe that being born in Israel is very important to being truly Israeli. This study will explore the tension between these two beliefs.