Essay Questions

How does religion (Jewish) intersect with politics?

Tolan expounds, “The British had arrived in 1917, the same year of the historic Balfour Declaration, in which England a “national homeland for the Jewish people” in Palestine. This was a triumph for Zionism, a political movement of European Jews founded by Theodor Herzl. The British had authorized “an appropriate Jewish agency” to help develop public works, utilities, and natural resources –in essence, the beginnings of a Jewish government in Palestine.” Political interventions are projected to safeguard the Jews' political priorities. Although being Jewish deals with religious dynamics and ideologies, Zionism guarantees the Jews that their prerogatives will not be violated on the basis of their faith. The proponents of Zionism are informed about the rights of Jews ; hence, the endorse safeguarding of such rights. Accordingly, religion, specifically Jewish, is not a disqualification from being politically engaged.

How do the Khairis promote conservative clannism?

Tolan writes, “The Khairis owned the town’s cinema, and on Tuesdays it was made available for the exclusive use of the clan. Dozens of family members would come to watch the latest films from Egypt. In the privacy of their own theatre, the Khairi women would not be exposed to the looks of the strangers, especially men. Khairis rarely married outside the clan." Here, the traditionalistic lifestyle minimizes interactions with other clans. Intra-clan marriages guarantee outsiders will not be brought in to remodel the longstanding dynamics. Moreover, buttressing the women's privacy is a measure which prolongs the intra-clan matrimonies which are fundamental in the continuance of the clan.