Human-Animal Studies in Israel: A Field in the Making

Abstract

This article outlines the emergence and development of human-animal studies in Israel (HASI). It sketches the changes the field has undergone and its accomplishments to date, identifying key challenges and opportunities. The article highlights two major shifts that HASI has undergone throughout the years: the first, an initial focus on animal-assisted therapy (AAT) that eventually gave way to a multidisciplinary approach to human-animal relations; and the second, a transition from a humanistic perspective to growing critical involvement in HAS and partial post-humanistic epistemology. The past and current institutional state of human-animal studies in Israel is traced, characterized by ongoing infrastructure changes, alongside a growing group of scholars that aim to develop the field. We conclude with a contemplation of future directions and prospects for HASI.