On the Nose

Talking About Antisemitism

Sep 5, 2024

Candace Owens, a far-right commentator known for her divisive opinions, joins Tucker Carlson, a prominent television host, and Max Blumenthal, a journalist focused on international relations. They delve into the troubling intertwining of anti-Israel sentiment and antisemitism in current discourse. The conversation navigates the complexities of antisemitism in America, the risks within leftist movements, and the importance of building solidarity amidst fear narratives. They also discuss the distinction between Jews and Zionists, highlighting the need for nuanced allyship in political activism.

01:00:55

Creator website

Episode guests

Tucker Carlson

Candace Owens

Max Blumenthal

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The podcast highlights the challenge of discussing antisemitism in leftist spaces while acknowledging its genuine concern and the realities of Palestinian suffering.

The conversation advocates for a nuanced approach to antisemitism, focusing on constructive dialogue and the importance of understanding systemic oppression without scapegoating.

The discussion stresses the need for fostering solidarity across communities by emphasizing shared goals of liberation while addressing the complexities of Jewish identity and antisemitism.

Deep dives

The Complexity of Antisemitism in Context of Occupation

The conversation begins with the challenges of discussing antisemitism, especially in the wake of heightened violence against Palestinians. It highlights that rising antisemitism often coincides with the escalation of violence in Gaza, complicating how this issue is broached within leftist discussions. The hosts emphasize the need to draw attention to antisemitism, acknowledging it as a genuine concern without allowing it to overshadow the realities of Palestinian suffering. They argue that failing to confront antisemitism could undermine solidarity and create a gap in the dialogue regarding systemic oppression.

Address All Evils to Unite for Liberation

01:16

Understanding the Complexities of Anti-Jewish Rhetoric

01:41

Intro

5min

Navigating Anti-Semitism in Leftist Movements

23min

Understanding Anti-Semitism in America

6min

Transforming Fear into Solidarity: Building Community Connections

3min

Navigating Antisemitism and Activism

19min

Navigating Complexities of Zionism and Jewish Identity

5min

Recently, far-right figures like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson have hitched their anti-Israel politics to blatant antisemitism, platforming Holocaust denial and using decontextualized passages from religious texts like the Talmud to argue for the fundamental immorality of Judaism; in some cases their rhetoric has migrated beyond the right-wing echo chamber. Meanwhile, following a cheeky tweet by conspiracy-minded Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal that attributed the congressional losses of Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush to the “Zionist occupied government,” or “ZOG,” debates raged online about the supposed accuracy or usefulness of the term, which has clear origins in the neo-Nazi movement. In this episode of On the Nose, editor-in-chief Arielle Angel interviews Shane Burley and Ben Lorber, authors of the new book Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, about these trends and how we confront them. They examine the real difficulties of talking about antisemitism—and assessing actual risk—in an alarmist environment where antisemitism is frequently weaponized against Palestinians and their allies, and discuss what it means to build principled movements rooted in mutual self-interest and collective liberation.

Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”

Texts Mentioned and Further Reading:

Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism by Shane Burley and Ben Lorber

“The Right’s Anti-Israel Insurgents,” Ben Lorber, Jewish Currents

“Examining the ADL’s Antisemitism Audit,” Shane Burley and Jonah ben Avraham, Jewish Currents

The Necessity of Exile: Essays from a Distance by Shaul Magid

Zioness event about campus antisemitism

“Jewish settlers stole my house. It’s not my fault they’re Jewish,” Mohammed El Kurd, Mondoweiss

Rafael Shimunov’s thread about talking about antisemitism on the left

“What Comes Next for the Palestinian Youth Movement,” Mohammed Nabulsi, Hammer & Hope

Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein

Study on the correlation between antisemitism and Israeli violence against Palestinians