What starts with the Jews, rarely ends with just the Jews - with Yuval Levin
Dec 16, 2023
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Yuval Levin, an expert on antisemitism and society, discusses the correlation between antisemitism and societal breakdown throughout history. The podcast explores the rise of anti-Semitic hate crimes, the influence of left-leaning ideology on academic institutions, the comparison between current college protests and the 1960s, the contradiction between progressive groups and their support for Hamas, generational divide on perceptions of the Holocaust, Joe Biden's role within the Democratic Party, and the mainstreaming of the Republican Party by populist conservatives.
Anti-Semitism targets Jews as representatives of ideological hatred; both left and right identify Jews in contradictory ways.
Expressions of anti-Semitism are rooted in dangerous ideological extremism and must be confronted.
The persecution of Jews often coincides with societal breakdown, reflecting the moral crisis facing the West.
Deep dives
The rise of anti-Semitism and its connection to ideological extremism
Anti-Semitism has historically targeted Jews as representatives of what ideological extremists hate. Today, both the left and the right identify Jews in contradictory ways, viewing them as oppressors and outsiders. These expressions of anti-Semitism are rooted in dangerous ideological extremism that must be confronted and fought against.
Updates on the Hamas-Israel War and tensions between Israeli government and hostage families
The podcast provides updates on the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, including the accidental killing of Israeli hostages by IDF soldiers and the tension between the families of the hostages and the Israeli government.
The success of IDF's flooding of Hamas tunnels with seawater
The podcast discusses the successful experiment conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces in flooding Hamas tunnels with seawater, despite claims from a Hamas spokesman that the tunnels were constructed to resist such flooding.
Suspension of Red Sea route and IDF Intelligence Chief's statement
A top shipping company has suspended its Red Sea route after two attacks by the Houthi rebels from Yemen. Additionally, IDF Intelligence Chief Major General Aharon Haliva emphasized the need for continued pressure and destruction of the enemy, suggesting a longer campaign than initially discussed by the Biden administration and Israel's war council.
The moral crisis of the West and the persecution of Jews as a sign
The podcast explores the attacks on Jews as a reflection of the moral crisis facing the West. Similar to historical periods of anti-Semitism, the persecution of Jews often coincides with societal breakdown. The discussion delves into the possible catalyst and implications of this current anti-Semitic moment.
On previous episodes of this podcast we’ve discussed the origins and history of antisemitism. But what does this antisemitic moment tell us about society more generally? If you look back throughout history, the persecution of Jews has often coincided with an even bigger crack-up in society.
Is this antisemitic moment the first sign of something bigger going on – is it a vessel for broader and deepers trends? This is what we will discuss with Yuvan Levin. Yuval currently wears three hats: At the American Enterprise Institute think tank, he’s the Director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies. He’s the editor-in-chief of National Affairs, a quarterly journal of essays about domestic policy, political economy, and political thought. He’s also authored numerous books. “The Fractured Republic” is especially relevant to today’s conversation.
Yuval served as a member of the White House domestic policy staff under President George W. Bush. He earned his masters and PhD from the University of Chicago.
To subscribe to National Affairs: https://www.nationalaffairs.com/
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