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Making Sense with Sam Harris

#348 — The Politics of Antisemitism

Jan 5, 2024
40:16
Snipd AI
Sam Harris speaks with Rabbi David Wolpe about the global response to the October 7th atrocities, Israeli vs diaspora Jews, history and logic of antisemitism, conspiracy theories, right-wing and left-wing antisemitism, BDS movement, Jewish acceptance at Ivy League universities, and the antisemitism endemic to Islam.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Populist figures on the right, like Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk, may unintentionally contribute to the normalization of anti-Semitism by their rhetoric and associations, emboldening anti-Semitic sentiments among their followers.
  • Anti-Semitism on the far left arises from a skewed perception of power dynamics and an obsession with an oppressor and oppressed narrative, with Jews being subjected to invidious comparisons due to their success, leading to a heightened danger when combining with explicit celebrations of violence against Jews.

Deep dives

The Rise of Anti-Semitism on the Right

There is a concerning populist moment on the right that is becoming infected by anti-Semitism, with figures like Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk seemingly playing well with each other. While these figures may not explicitly be anti-Semitic themselves, their rhetoric and associations can encourage and embolden anti-Semitic sentiments among their followers. The far right often relies on conspiracy theories and sees Jews as the orchestrators of societal changes they fear, such as demographic shifts. This anti-Semitism often takes the form of winking and nodding, allowing these figures to gain support while maintaining plausible deniability. It is important to note that these figures have significant cultural influence and can unintentionally contribute to the normalization of anti-Semitism.

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