On the Nose

In this engaging discussion, Sarah Aziza, a Palestinian-American writer known for her memoir The Hollow Half, and Tareq Baconi, a policy analyst and author of Fire in Every Direction, explore the complexities of Palestinian identity. They share personal experiences from their childhoods, highlighting the emotional weight of diaspora and resilience. The conversation delves into themes of love, queerness, and the necessity of transforming silence into speech, emphasizing the political dimensions of claiming a Palestinian identity against a backdrop of history and displacement.

Antony Loewenstein, an independent journalist and author of The Palestine Laboratory, teams up with Rhys Machold, a senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow and critic of the so-called 'Zionist exceptionalism.' They dive into the implications of Israel’s military tech exports, revealing how violence in Gaza is replicated globally. The discussion critiques the myth of Israeli innovation, exploring Israel's reliance on Western allies and the quality of its arms. The guests also debate whether Israel's strength comes from technology or political impunity and ponder its future in the geopolitical landscape.

Noah Kulwin, writer and co-host of Blowback, and Ryan Grim, investigative reporter from Drop Site News, delve into the intricate web surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. They explore Epstein's rise, his ambiguous financial roles, and his connections to intelligence networks, particularly in Israel. The guests discuss Epstein's role as a global broker among elite circles and the implications of his actions within capitalism and political power dynamics. They also confront the potential dangers of framing his story through antisemitic lenses, while examining why mainstream media has hesitated to investigate these connections.

Nadav Weiman, Executive Director of Breaking the Silence, shares harrowing insights into Israeli military conduct in Gaza. He discusses shocking soldier testimonies, including abuse at the Sde Teiman detention camp. Weiman sheds light on the 'mosquito protocol,' where Palestinians were used as human shields, revealing systematic military practices rather than isolated incidents. He further explores the societal dehumanization of Palestinians, evidenced by public applause for soldiers accused of war crimes, and the challenges of accountability and activism that arise from these testimonies.

Daniel May, publisher of Jewish Currents, joins Ben Lorber, a researcher on antisemitism, and Andrew Marantz, a New Yorker writer, to discuss the recent mainstreaming of anti-Zionist sentiments within the right-wing. They dissect Tucker Carlson's controversial interviews, the rise of figures like Nick Fuentes, and how these interactions reflect a shift in conservative ideology. The conversation also explores the dangers of normalizing hateful rhetoric and the intersections of Christian and white nationalism, ultimately warning against anti-Zionism that aligns with reactionary goals.

Last week, a group calling itself The Jewish Majority published a “Rabbinic Call to Action” aimed at New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in the last weeks of the campaign. “We cannot remain silent in the face of rising anti-Zionism and its political normalization throughout our nation,” the letter reads. Signed by over 1,100 rabbis, the letter quotes New York rabbis Ammiel Hirsch and Elliot Cosgrove, who had each issued their own anti-Zohran sermons and videos, insisting that Mamdani poses a danger to the safety of the city’s Jews and that Zionism is an inextricable part of Jewish identity.On this episode of On the Nose, Jewish Currents editor-in-chief Arielle Angel, editor-at-large Peter Beinart, senior reporter Alex Kane, and advisory board member Simone Zimmerman discuss this rabbinic campaign, what it means for the sizable Jewish minority who supports Mamdani, and what it says about the priorities of institutional Judaism at a moment of profound political instability.Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”Articles and Media Mentioned and Further ReadingRabbi Cosgrove’s sermon on MamdaniRabbi Ammiel Hirsch on Mamdani“Why Mamdani Frightens Jews Like Me,” Bret Stephens, The New York TimesThe Jewish Majority, “A Rabbinic Call to Action”“Brad Lander’s Campaign of Solidarity,” On the Nose“Tax the Rich” post on X by Maria DanziloHalachic Left High Holidays reader“Zohran Mamdani is not antisemitic, Satmar’s Brooklyn leadership says,” Jerusalem Post“Jewish New York’s reckoning with Zohran Mamdani,” Noa Yachot, The Guardian“Many American Jews sharply critical on Gaza, Post poll finds,” Naftali Bendavid, Scott Clement, and Emily Guskin, The Washington Post“‘The Issue is Not the Issue’ – The Free Speech Movement 1964 - The Anti-Mamdani Craze,” Shaul Magid on SubstackMamdani’s video “My Message to Muslim New Yorkers—and Everyone Who Calls This City Home”“The racism and Islamophobia behind many of the attacks on Zohran Mamdani,” Richard Luscombe, The Guardian“Religion, Secularism, and the Jewish Left,” On the Nose“The Anti-Soros Strategy at the Heart of Trump’s War on Progressive Nonprofits,” Alex Kane, Jewish Currents“Trump’s war on the left: Inside the plan to investigate liberal groups,” Nandita Bose, Jana Winter, Jeff Mason, Tim Reid, and Ted Hesson, ReutersBeyond Israelism with Simone Zimmerman on ZeteoTranscript forthcoming. 

For the second year in a row, Rabbis for Ceasefire held a Yizkor service on the streets of Brooklyn, using the traditional Yom Kippur memorial service as a means to mourn the dead in Gaza, to atone for American and Jewish communal participation in the genocide, and to refuse further complicity. After the Yizkor service—attended by 1,500 people and watched online by ten times that number—rabbis and others blocked the Brooklyn Bridge while performing the Ne’ilah service that closes the holy day; dozens were arrested. In this episode, Jewish Currents editor-in-chief Arielle Angel speaks with Rabbis for Ceasefire organizers Alissa Wise and Elliot Kukla about their experience planning and carrying out this ritual action, and what it revealed about the nature of the tradition itself. They also discuss the power of collective grief, and the difference and interrelation between Palestine solidarity work and the work of building a Judaism beyond Zionism. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Arthur Waskow. Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”Articles Mentioned and Further ReadingRabbis for Ceasefire Yizkor service on Instagram“Jewish activist and leader Rabbi Arthur Waskow dies at 92,” Deena Prichep, NPR“‘Chronic traumatic stress disorder’: the Palestinian psychiatrist challenging western definitions of trauma,” Bethan McKernan, The Guardian“Can the Palestinian Mourn?,” Abdeljawad Omar, Rusted Radishes“‘They Destroyed What Was Inside Us’: Children with Disabilities Amid Israel’s Attacks on Gaza,” Human Rights Watch Report“The Right to Grieve,” Erik Baker, Jewish Currents“Synagogue Struggles,” On the Nose“We Need New Jewish institutions,” Arielle Angel, Jewish CurrentsTranscript forthcoming. 

Last week, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire deal. A series of momentous events followed the announcement: First, Israel halted its military assault on Gaza—widely considered by international legal experts to be a genocide. Then, 20 Israeli captives who had been held by Hamas for two years were returned to Israel, while Israeli authorities released around 2,000 Palestinians from prison, 1,700 of whom had been detained without charge or trial. The events led Trump to declare that the “war is over.”  But Israeli troops are still stationed deep in Gaza, controlling over half of the enclave, and many questions remain about the future of Gaza.In this episode, senior reporter Alex Kane talks to Middle East experts Khaled Elgindy and Daniel Levy about the ceasefire. They discuss why Trump forced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to the ceasefire, why former President Biden failed to stop Israel’s bombardment, whether Hamas will disarm, and how the deal impacts efforts to hold Israeli officials accountable for genocide.Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”Articles Mentioned and Further Reading“How Fury Over Israel’s Qatar Attack Pushed Netanyahu on Gaza,”  Mark Mazzetti, Adam Rasgon, Katie Rogers and Luke Broadwater, The New York Times“Read Trump’s 20-point proposal to end the war in Gaza,” Associated Press“Why Hamas Agreed to Release the Hostages,” Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker“Arab Mediators Believe Hamas Could Be Open to Partially Disarming,” Adam Rasgon and Ronen Bergman, The New York Times

As media figures reacted to the assassination of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk last month, a movement to purge those critical of President Trump and his MAGA movement found success. The most prominent censorship case came when ABC, bowing to pressure from the head of the Federal Communications Commission, pulled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air for his anti-MAGA remarks during his opening monologue. This clampdown on speech critical of Trump comes amid a broader attempt to reshape mainstream media in the right’s image. In this episode, senior reporter Alex Kane discusses the media’s right-wing turn with Karen Attiah—a journalist fired by the Washington Post for her comments following Kirk’s assassination—and Mehdi Hasan, a former MSNBC host and founder of independent news outlet Zeteo. They spoke about whether Kimmel’s removal signifies full-blown autocracy, the takeover of TikTok by pro-Trump and pro-Netanyahu billionaires, and the role of independent media in this moment. Articles Mentioned and Further Reading“The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced,” Karen Attiah, The Golden Hour Substack“Matthew Dowd’s firing begins flood of people facing consequences for their comments on Kirk’s death,” David Bauder and Ali Swenson, The Associated Press“Disney reportedly lost 1.7 million subscribers during Kimmel's suspension,” Amanda Yeo, Mashable“The Billionaire Trump Supporter Who Will Soon Own the News,” William Cohan, The New York Times“CBS Taps Conservative Policy Veteran for New Ombudsman Role,” Benjamin Mullin and Michael Grynbaum, The New York Times“Israel wins TikTok,” Kelley Beaucar Vlahos, Responsible StatecraftNet Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom, Evgeny Morozov“Jared Kushner’s firm and the Saudis are taking video game maker EA private in a massive deal,” Jordan Valinsky, CNN

Charlie Kirk, influential right-wing commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 10th. Since then, he has been made into a martyr on the right, and the Trump administration has vowed to crack down on the left, despite details about the shooter’s motivation remaining hazy. Among liberals, there has been a baffling rush to hold Kirk up as a paragon of democracy—despite his participation in the attempt to overthrow the 2020 election—and to demonstrate their own grief at his death. In this episode, editor-in-chief Arielle Angel, contributing editor David Klion, assistant editor Maya Rosen, and contributor Ben Lorber, a researcher of antisemitism and white nationalism, discuss reactions to Kirk’s assassination across the political landscape, the mostly imagined specter of left violence versus the reality, the meaning of Kirk’s deification in Israel, and the ways reactions to his death have become a proxy for conversations about the genocide in Gaza. Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”Articles Mentioned and Further Reading“Charlie Kirk Was Practicing Politics the Right Way,” Ezra Klein, The New York Times“How to mourn in our polarized age,” Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox“Charlie Kirk’s Murder Is a Tragedy and a Disaster,” Ben Burgis and Meagan Day, Jacobin“JD Vance threatens crackdown on ‘far-left’ groups after Charlie Kirk shooting,” Rachel Leingang, The GuardianSarah Schulman on the sublimation of the Palestinian genocide into mourning for Charlie Kirk on X“Light Among the Nations,” Suzanne Schneider, Jewish Currents“The Group Forging a ‘Judeo-Christian’ Zionism for the New MAGA Age,” Ben Lorber, Jewish Currents“A Jewish clothing brand is making Charlie Kirk yarmulkes,” PJ Grisar, The Forward“In Israel, public tributes to Charlie Kirk include a street naming, a mural and a missile in Gaza,” Grace Gilson, JTA“The Measure of the World,” Claire Schwartz, Jewish Currents“Since the Hamas attack, Israelis have begun arming themselves the American way,” Jonathan M. Metzel, The Los Angeles TimesTranscript forthcoming.