Israeli scholar Shimi Friedman, an anthropologist/sociologist at Ariel University, shines the spotlight on one group of marginal Israeli youths, those dubbed ‘hilltop youths’ by the chattering classes, because of the former’s penchant for establishing unauthorised hilltop outposts in proximity to both Jewish and Arab populations in Judea and Samaria. In The Hilltop Youth, an interesting work of cultural anthropology, the author examines the lives of one particular subset of hilltop youths, those clustered in the Hebron region of southern Judea. Employing the tools of his trade ? fieldwork and interviews ? Friedman arrives at some surprising conclusions about this subset of youths, conclusions that are often at odds with the common perception of hilltop youths.

Israel Affairs

This project is a rare combination of anthropological fieldwork and political science analyses. In order to master the issue of "Hilltop Youth," the author lived among these groups of Jewish youngsters in their tiny villages on South Mount Hebron, and meticulously deciphered their human, social and ideological environment. Presenting a first-hand testimony about the social periphery of Jewish settler society within the wild regions of Judea, this study also challenges distorted myths often shaped by local and international reporters. Friedman's research, the first of its kind concerning this specific social group, is necessary for anyone who wishes to establish further knowledge of the subject, beyond its stereotypical manifestations in mass media. Hence, this book is essential for those who study the Arab-Israeli conflict and are honestly curious to deepen their comprehension of the various protagonists within the complex Middle Eastern vicinity.

Eyal Lewin, Ariel University

Friedman touches upon the most sensitive and fragile issue of Israeli society and, by dismantling it with professional skill and sober vision, makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the marginal Israeli youth gang called Noar Hagvaot (the Hilltop Youth) – not only in the context of youth in distress but also within the framework of geo-politics. Friedman’s contribution to the field of anthropology-sociology is invaluable since this topic is potentially explosive which makes this book a crucially important contribution to the field of modern Israeli sociology. He opens up an aperture in this previously untouched field of research and adds the dimension of youth research dynamics, something that is especially important for the understanding of these youths who could easily affect the balance of power in the West Bank.

Ronen A. Cohen, Ariel University