Journalist Eli Lake discusses Israel, anti-Semitism, and Kanye in a lively conversation. Topics include his upbringing in Philly, love of rap music, Kanye's genius and anti-Semitism, historical perspectives on Jew hatred, complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the influence of key political figures like Ben-Gurion and Netanyahu. The conversation also delves into the Catholic Church's history, anti-Semitism in historical figures, and reflections on challenging political ideologies.
Exploring the history and ideological foundations of Israel through figures like Ben-Gurion and Jabotinsky.
Discussing the challenges of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the complexities of achieving peace.
Deep dives
The Founding of Israel: Origins and Perspectives
The podcast delves into the history and origins of Israel, highlighting the complexity and differing perspectives surrounding its establishment. It discusses the views of prominent figures like David Ben-Gurion and Jabotinsky, shedding light on the ideological foundations of the Israeli state and the contrasting opinions on the territorial claims and destiny of Israel.
Ben-Gurion's Political Evolution and Realizations
The episode explores David Ben-Gurion's political evolution from optimism to realism regarding reaching an accommodation with Arab Palestinian leaders during the early years of Israel's formation. It delves into Ben-Gurion's acknowledgments of the challenges and conflicts faced by Israel, leading to a shift in understanding the complexities of the region's dynamics and territorial disputes.
Roots of Anti-Zionism and Critiques of Israel
It examines the roots of anti-Zionism, portraying it as a critique of Israel's nature as a settler colonial state and questioning the legitimacy of its existence. The episode encapsulates the core arguments of anti-Zionism, emphasizing viewpoints that challenge Israel's claims to the land and resonate with sentiments of resistance against colonization.
Challenges of the West Bank and the Path to Peace
The discussion centers on the challenges presented by the West Bank and the complexities of Israeli settlements, highlighting a key area of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It elucidates the dilemma of achieving peace amidst territorial disputes and varying perspectives on the path for Israel to navigate towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution.
Eli is a journalist and friend. He’s a former senior national security correspondent for The Daily Beast and Newsweek, and a former columnist for the Bloomberg View. He’s now a reporter for The Free Press, a contributing editor at Commentary Magazine, and the host of his own podcast, The Re-Education. I thought I should have a strong Israel supporter to come on and challenge my recent columns.
For two clips of our convo — on the West Bank settlements, and Trump’s record on Israel — pop over to our YouTube page. Other topics: Eli raised as a latchkey kid in Philly; his leftwing Jewish parents; turning neocon in college during the ‘90s PC wars; Milton Friedman’s Free to Choose a formative book; Eli’s love of rap from an early age; Tribe Called Quest and the Native Tongue movement of “rap hippies”; Black Nationalism; David Samuels’ story on white kids driving hip-hop; Kanye’s genius and grappling with his anti-Semitism; the bigotry of Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot; Nietzsche’s madness; the persistence of Jew hatred across history and cultures; dissidents in the Catholic Church; Augustine; Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah; the faux sophistication of conspiracy theorists; Bob Dole as a Gen Xer; envy and resentment over Israel’s success; the First Intifada; Labor Zionism; Ben-Gurion and Arab resistance; Menachem Begin; Netanyahu’s dad; the IRA bombing British leaders; Arafat walking away from Camp David; the Second Intifada; 9/11 and Islamofascism; the Iraq War and Abu Ghraib; the settler movement and Judeo-fascists; Jared Kushner; the Abraham Accords; Arabs serving in the Knesset; Israel withdrawing from Gaza and southern Lebanon; the evil of Hamas; Yossi Klein Halevi; the IDF’s AI program; the tunnels and 2,000-lb bombs; Dresden; John Spencer’s Understanding Urban Warfare; Rafah; Trump’s vanity; Soleimani and the Damascus embassy; and the US supplying weapons to Israel.
Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Next up: Kara Swisher on Silicon Valley. After that: Adam Moss on the artistic process, George Will on Trump and conservatism, Johann Hari on weight-loss drugs, Noah Smith on the economy, Nellie Bowles on the woke revolution, Bill Maher on everything, and the great Van Jones! Send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
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