Is Israel Losing America's Jews? With Yossi Klein Halevi and Rabbi David Ingber
Apr 5, 2024
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Israeli-American author Yossi Klein Halevi and Rabbi David Ingber discuss criticisms within the American Jewish community towards Israel's actions. They explore trends in American Jewish life, impact on Israel, and the complexities of engaging with differing perspectives. Topics include navigating support for Israel, criticism within the Jewish community, implications of inaction against Hamas, liberalism and Judaism in Israel's identity, and international relations in the Jewish context.
Israeli democracy navigates security pressures and internal divisions amidst criticism.
Debates within American Jewry reflect diverse opinions on Israeli actions and future solidarity.
Misconceptions around Israeli military conduct challenge narratives of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
Intersection of power dynamics between American soft power and Israeli hard power in Jewish unity.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Israeli Democracy Under Extreme Security Pressures
The podcast delves into Israel as a unique case study of democracy under extreme security pressures, exploring the challenges faced when applying relentless security measures. It questions the fault lines and resilience of Israeli democracy amidst external criticisms and internal divisions within the Jewish community. The value of Israeli democracy lies not in perfection but in the ongoing struggle for democratic ideals, shedding light on the intricate dynamics at play.
Criticism of Israel's Response to Hamas War
The episode highlights the criticisms surrounding Israel's response to the war initiated by Hamas, emphasizing claims of disproportionate actions and collective punishment against Palestinian civilians. The discussion extends to accusations of hindering humanitarian aid delivery and targeting aid workers. The podcast underscores the internal and external debates fueling divergent perspectives on Israel's handling of the conflict.
Struggles with Internal and External Jewish Critiques
An exploration of the widening gap in perspectives within the Jewish community, particularly in the United States, regarding Israel's actions. It outlines the dynamics of dissent and support within American Jewry, analyzing the impact of critical voices and the evolving stance toward Israel. The episode navigates the intricate balance of diverse opinions while acknowledging the shifting landscape of Jewish solidarity in relation to Israeli policies.
Navigating Moral Complexity and Global Perceptions
Delving into the moral complexities of Israel's military actions and the global perceptions that shape public discourse. The episode scrutinizes the dual narrative of external criticism and internal reflection on the ethical conduct of war. It challenges misrepresentations of Israeli motives, highlighting the intricate negotiations between public relations strategies, moral accountability, and the realities of conflict. The conversation underscores the urgency of maintaining a robust Jewish dialogue while safeguarding Israel's security interests.
Addressing Misused Terminology like Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
A critical examination of the misappropriation of charged terms like genocide and ethnic cleansing in the context of discussions about Israel's military responses. The episode dismantles the flawed narratives propagated by external critics and elaborates on the disconnect between hyperbolic accusations and the nuanced realities on the ground. It emphasizes the importance of contextual understanding, personal connections to Israeli society, and the need to counter sensationalist portrayals with informed perspectives and historical context.
Rethinking Holocaust Education and Universalizing the Holocaust
The collapse of the universalization of the Holocaust is discussed, highlighting the consequences of trying to make the Holocaust relevant to all for memory's sake. By removing the Holocaust from its specific antisemitic context, there is a risk of misrepresenting antisemitism as merely racism rather than the symbolic vilification of Jews. The continuity of antisemitism post-Holocaust and its impact on present-day Holocaust education are explored. The episode delves into the complexities of teaching about the Holocaust and antisemitism in a global context.
Jewish Unity and Power in the Context of Israeli Democracy
The episode delves into the theme of power and Jewish unity, emphasizing the tension between these concepts, particularly in the context of Israel's democracy and security challenges. It touches on the vulnerability of the Jewish people post-October 7th and the need to balance power responsibly. The discussion extends to the intersection of soft power in America and hard power in Israel, emphasizing the democratic values of public criticism of power. The complexities of Jewish leadership's role in soft power dynamics are explored within the context of maintaining unity while navigating disagreements with Israeli policies.
Over the past several weeks, especially the Biden administration’s statements Thursday, Israel has been subjected to a fresh round of harsh criticisms. We’ll be turning to the elevating U.S.-Israel tensions in our Monday episode with Nadav Eyal.
But today we have a conversation about the criticisms we have been hearing in intra-Jewish community debates here in the U.S. and other Diaspora communities. While there is a growing number of American Jewish leaders calling on Israel to change course and pursue a permanent ceasefire -- or at least wage a more “humane” war -- these voices are still a small minority (albeit a very loud minority). These voices get outsized attention, but they should not be ignored. They are people that many of us know. Some have large platforms. Many non-Jews hear them on those platforms and cite these Jewish figures as sources.
What does all this tell us about trends in American Jewish life long before October 7? What is the impact now on Israel? These are some of the questions we try to unpack with:
-Yossi Klein Halevi, who is a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Yossi has written a number of books, including his latest, "Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor," which was a New York Times bestseller. He has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Times of Israel. He is co-host of "For Heaven's Sake" podcast.
-Rabbi David A. Ingber is the new Senior Director for Jewish Life and Senior Director of the Bronfman Center at 92NY. He serves as the founding rabbi of Romemu, the largest Renewal synagogue in the United States.
Items discussed in this episode:
-Rabbi David Ingber's Shabbat sermon on Israel (03/22/24): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px5i9mIxd5E&t=3942s
-Rabbi Angela Buchdahl's letter to her congregants on her position on the war in response to the "Times of Israel" article: https://centralsynagogue.cmail20.com/t/j-e-sulquk-dhkutlbli-r/
-Yossi Klein Halevi's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IXOA04
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