Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast David Remnick Asks: "What Is Israel Becoming?"
Jul 30, 2025
David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker and host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, shares insights from his recent reporting in Israel, delving into the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He discusses the stark contrast between military achievements and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The conversation highlights media narratives that often overlook Palestinian suffering, the denialism surrounding the conflict, and the crucial role of Israeli writers in shaping public consciousness and moral discourse amidst ongoing crises.
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Media Minimizes Gaza Suffering
- Israeli media largely minimizes the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza during conflict periods.
- Mainstream stations like Channel 12 have only recently begun acknowledging the humanitarian crisis more openly.
Close Proximity, Deniable Reality
- The conflict's geography is intimately close, unlike distant wars many others experience.
- Many Israelis live very nearby Gaza yet choose willful ignorance about the humanitarian catastrophe happening right next to them.
Marginalized Liberal Voices in Israel
- Historically, Israeli writers once occupied a moral center in society, influencing public thought on conflict issues.
- Today, liberal intellectual voices and human rights groups are marginalized or disdained by the majority of Israelis.
