Yael Yishai is Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Haifa. Her previous books include Land of Paradoxes: Interest Politics in Israel (also published by SUNY Press); Factionalism in the Labor Movement: Faction B in Mapai; Israel: The Peaceful Belligerent, 1967–1979 (with A. Sella); Land or Peace: Whither Israel?; Interest Groups in Israel: The Test of Democracy; and The Israel Medical Association: The Power of Expertise.

"…an important and welcome contribution to the study of women in Israeli politics … worthwhile reading for all those interested in women in politics." — Gender & Society"The conceptual framework for this book draws upon a major theme in feminist literature: women's vacillation between operating outside or inside the political establishment; between mobilizing their own resources or those of the male-dominated political elite. Yishai does an excellent job in applying the mobilization/integration dilemma to the Israeli case. She is successful in showing the tension between mobilization and integration in a country where there is great disparity between the national imperative and feminist interests. Her arguments are clear and concise and she elegantly weaves together the theoretical arguments with interesting data." — Chava Frankfort-Nachmias, University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee"There is a dearth of material on women in Israel, and certainly none on women and the polity. This book makes an important contribution to the growing field. It is a superb book and an important contribution to the fields of women's studies, Israel studies, Middle Eastern studies, and comparative politics." — Madeleine Tress, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, New York"This is one of the best books I have ever reviewed. Among the book's strong features are its anchoring of the material in broad political and sociological theory, and its frequent international comparisons, both done through referral to the most important literature in the field." — Walter F. Weiker, Rutgers University

• List of Tables and Illustrations Preface 1. Between the Flag and the Banner: Dilemmas in the Political Life of Israeli Women Part I. Women in Political Institutions and Associations 2. Women in the Elite3. Women's Associations and Movements Part II. Ordinary Women in Political Life 4. Political Participation: Women in the Party-State5. Women's Gender Identity: "Who am I?" Part III. Women and Public Policy 6. Labor Policy: The Problem of Economic Equity7. Family Policy: Patriarchy in the Jewish State8. Body Politics: The Right to Life and Its Challengers9. Conclusion: From Integration to Mobilization? Notes Bibliography Index