"Hier ist nicht Europa" by Prof. Dr. Johannes Becke is a non-fiction book on the question of how Israel is culturally and institutionally located in the Middle East. Becke argues that Israel is not only part of the region politically, but also in areas such as law, the security apparatus, dealing with minorities, cuisine and music to a greater extent than the widespread image of Israel as a "Western" state would suggest
The book deals with the debate as to whether Israel should be seen as a Western exclave or as a Middle Eastern society. Becke describes both the bright and dark sides of this integration into the region and aims to "recontextualize" Israel, i.e. to reclassify it historically and culturally. Becke argues that Israel has been closely intertwined with the Middle East and North Africa in many areas since its foundation and should therefore be seen as part of this region rather than an outpost of Europe.
