Israel’s identity crisis | John Pilger: time for direct action | Mehdi Hasan: lessons from Obama’s defeat

Weekly Online Newsletter 4 November 2010 Home Editor's Choice Features Regulars Arts & Books Blogs Subscribe   Editor's Choice IN THIS WEEK'S NEW STATESMAN... In this week's New Statesman we explore Israel's identity crisis and the social and political anxieties dividing the nation. In our cover story, deputy editor Jon Bernstein reports from Jerusalem on how a proposed new oath of allegiance to a "Jewish and democratic state" has split the country along religious and ethnic lines. Elsewhere, in this week's politics column, Mehdi Hasan looks at what Ed Miliband can learn from Barack Obama's midterms defeat and the shadow chancellor, Alan Johnson attacks what he calls the coalition's "Orwellian level of misinformation". Meanwhile, John Pilger says that Britain must prepare for a rebirth of direct action, Alice Miles suggests that the Tea Party is already a waning force and Noam Chomsky looks at the plight of Palestinians in Gaza - the "world's largest prison". All this, plus Russell Brand on the BBC's "suicide mission", Leo Robson on Saul Bellow's letters and an exclusive extract from a new edition of The Spirit Level: Why Equality Is Better For Everyone. The issue is on sale now, or you can subscribe through the website. Get a FREE copy of Steve Bell's If ... Bursts Out when you start your annual subscription today for just £82. The five most read blogs Lib Dem MPs have a duty to vote against higher fees | George Eaton The real agenda of the pill's opponents | Laurie Penny A killing joke? | David Allen Green The Sunday Times takes a fresh approach to election-night tweeting | Samira Shackle PMQs verdict: Miliband gets the better of frustrated Cameron | George Eaton Features Weekly Briefing Regulars Leader: The coalition must face down the security establishment Control orders remain an illiberal and ineffective response to the terrorist threat. Bombs, Boris and Ms Booth By Peter Wilby Will the housing benefit cut "cleanse" London of its poor? Also, terror alerts, control orders and the success of media studies graduates. Arts & Culture The Trip By Rachel Cooke This comedy vehicle is too knowing for its own good. Another Year (12A) By Ryan Gilbey Ryan Gilbey finds Mike Leigh pursuing fashionably horticultural themes.     This Week's Issue Kindly note that if you receive this e-mail your e-mail address is being held by us for the purpose of communicating with you on New Statesman related matters. If you do not wish us to e-mail you, please unsubscribe from this list. New Statesman Limited is a Data Controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998. © New Statesman Ltd. 2009. The above information may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this email please destroy it. As Internet communications are not secure please note that the New Statesman does not accept legal responsibility for the content of this email message.