On the Nose

Brady Corbet’s epic Academy Award-nominated film, The Brutalist, traces the career and personal life of fictional architect and Holocaust survivor László Toth, played by Adrien Brody, as he seeks to find his place in the United States after World War II. In this episode of On the Nose, contributing writer Rebecca Pierce, associate editor Mari Cohen, contributing editor Siddhartha Mahanta, and contributor Noah Kulwin unpack the film’s symbolic use of Israel and Zionism as an apparent solution to the racialized antisemitism faced by its Jewish characters upon their arrival in the US. The conversation delves into the film’s explorations of post-Holocaust Jewish life and American racialized white supremacy, as well as the contrast between its clear artistic vision and ambiguous politics. This episode includes spoilers for the film and discussions of its onscreen depictions of sexual violence.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 Resources:“About the Destination: The Brutalist and Israel,” Noah Kulwin, Screen Slate“Adrien Brody Addresses Backlash Over Halle Berry Oscars Kiss—but Stops Short Of Apologizing,” Kelby Vera, Huffington Post“The Suppressed Lineage of American Jewish Dissent on Israel,” Emma Saltzberg, Jewish CurrentsThe Tribes of America by Paul Cowan

Israeli warplanes have stopped dropping bombs on Gaza, at least for now, but there’s no ceasefire in the occupied West Bank. Since October 2023, and especially since this January, the intensity of Israeli military operations in the West Bank has escalated to a degree unseen since the Second Intifada. On January 21st, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “Operation Iron Wall”—a bombing campaign and ground invasion centered on the city of Jenin in the northern West Bank. Jenin houses a large Palestinian refugee camp populated by families expelled by Israeli forces in 1948. As such, it has long been an epicenter of Palestinian militancy, and has faced waves of Israeli ground invasions and sieges for decades. Now, Israel’s defense minister has said that the army is returning to Jenin to apply the “lessons” it learned in Gaza—which have included the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, the siege of a hospital, and, in a particularly brazen act, the simultaneous blowing up of 23 buildings on February 2nd. To discuss Israel’s application of the “Gaza model” in the West Bank and its impact on Palestinians, Jewish Currents senior reporter Alex Kane spoke with journalist Azmat Khan and analyst Tahani Mustafa. 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“Israeli military operation turns Jenin refugee camp into 'ghost town,'” Ali Sawafta, Reuters“Demolitions in Jenin signal Israel’s new approach in the West Bank,” Marcus Walker, The Wall Street Journal“In West Bank raids, Palestinians see echoes of Israel’s Gaza war,” Raja Abdulrahim and Azmat Khan, The New York Times“Two young children were getting ready for school. An IDF drone killed them,” Hagar Shezaf, Haaretz“The civilian casualty files,” The New York Times“Palestinian Authority’s raid on Jenin appeals to Israeli, Western interests,” Mat Nashed, Al Jazeera English“Palestinian gunman kills Israeli soldiers as UN warns over W Bank operation,” David Gritten, BBC News“The settler strategy accelerating Palestinian dispossession,” Dalia Hatuqa, Jewish Currents

On Sunday, Israel and Hamas entered into the first phase of what could become a permanent ceasefire. Under the agreement that led to the pause, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinians, many held without charge or trial, from its prisons in exchange for the release of 98 Israeli hostages by Palestinian militants in Gaza. The deal also allows Palestinians forcibly displaced from the north of Gaza to return to that area, promises a surge in humanitarian aid to a Palestinian population that was starving as a result of Israel’s siege, and leaves open the door for further negotiations resulting in a permanent ceasefire. But significant questions remain about the deal—foremost of which is whether it will lead to the permanent end of Israel’s bombardment and hermetic siege of Gaza, an assault experts have termed a genocide. To discuss why Israel agreed to stop its bombing after 15 months, whether the ceasefire is likely to last, and the future of Gaza’s governance, Jewish Currents senior reporter Alex Kane spoke to analysts Yousef Munayyer and Zaha Hassan.Thanks to Jesse Brenneman for producing and to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”Further Reading“A long-awaited ceasefire has finally begun in Gaza. Here’s what we know,” Sophie Tanno, Lauren Kent and Christian Edwards, CNN“Jared Kushner says Gaza’s ‘waterfront property could be very valuable,’” Patrick Wintour, The Guardian“Ben Gvir says he repeatedly foiled hostage deals, urges Smotrich to help him stop this one,” Times of Israel staff, Times of Israel“UNRWA said preparing to shutter Gaza, West Bank operations ahead of Israeli ban,” Times of Israel staff, Times of Israel“Gangs looting Gaza aid operate in areas under Israeli control, aid groups say,” Claire Parker, Loveday Morris, Hajar Harb, Miriam Berger and Hazem Balousha, The Washington Post“The Pro-Israel Donor With a $100 Million Plan to Elect Trump,” Theodore Schleifer, The New York Times

Mahmoud Muna, a writer from Jerusalem, Matthew Teller, a UK-based Middle East expert, and Juliette Touma, a communications director for UNRWA, delve into their anthology "Daybreak in Gaza." They explore the poignant narratives of Palestinian lives during conflict, emphasizing resilience and the ethical challenges of documenting stories amidst turmoil. Their discussion touches on the cultural identity of Gazans, the emotional journey of transporting a beloved pet amid bureaucratic hurdles, and the critical need for empathy and justice in understanding their struggles.

Emma Saltzberg, US strategic campaigns director for Diaspora Alliance, and Dylan Saba, staff attorney at Palestine Legal, delve into the implications of a potential Trump administration for pro-Palestine activism. They discuss alarming tactics aimed at silencing dissent, including targeting student organizers and legislative threats against nonprofits. The duo analyzes the misuse of civil rights laws and the chilling effects of proposed policies, stressing the importance of solidarity among activist groups to counter repression and promote civil liberties.

This conversation features Maia Ipp, a contributing editor at Jewish Currents focusing on memory and heritage, and Menachem Kaiser, author of Plunder, delving into the complexities of inherited trauma. They explore the film 'A Real Pain,' discussing its portrayal of generational struggles with Holocaust memory. Key themes include the emotional weight of visiting memorials, the commercialization of Holocaust narratives, and how humor intersects with Jewish identity. The dialogue invites deeper engagement with history while celebrating cultural richness in Poland.

Naomi Klein, bestselling author and professor, and Hala Alyan, acclaimed author and clinical psychologist, engage in a profound conversation about emotions in the Palestinian liberation movement. They explore how grief and rage influence political discourse and the need for emotional diversity within movements. The duo examines the weaponization of trauma in mourning practices, the psychological toll of state narratives, and the importance of recognizing and metabolizing emotions to empower communities. Their insights highlight the intricate connection between personal feelings and collective action.

Join historian Stephen Wertheim, Arab American Institute's Maya Berry, and national security reporter Spencer Ackerman as they dissect the foreign policy visions of Trump and Harris ahead of the 2024 election. They delve into how recent events in Gaza are reshaping voter sentiments, particularly among Arab and Muslim Americans. The trio also examines the bipartisan consensus on military dominance, the electoral implications of U.S. foreign policy, and the shifting dynamics in the Democratic Party's stance on Israel and Palestine.

In a captivating discussion, Mari Cohen, an associate editor at Jewish Currents, E. Tammy Kim from The New Yorker, and anti-caste activist Prachi Patankar dissect the intricate ties between various organizations and the ADL. They explore how the Hindu American Foundation mimics ADL's model while pushing Hindutva agendas, and the Asian American Foundation's efforts against racism rooted in similar frameworks. The trio also navigates the identity politics of South Asian Americans and the ADL's current legitimacy crisis, reflecting on advocacy in a complex sociopolitical landscape.

Ta-Nehisi Coates, one of the most celebrated American political writers of our time, devotes much of his new book, The Message, to a withering and deeply personal critique of Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. On this bonus episode of On the Nose—a recording of an online event for Jewish Currents members, co-sponsored by the Beinart Notebook and the Foundation for Middle East Peace—editor-at-large Peter Beinart speaks with Coates about his time in Israel and the West Bank, the silencing of Palestinians in American media, and what it means when nationalism’s victims become its adherents.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:The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates“Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” Martin Luther King, Jr.Our American Israel by Amy KaplanThe Riot Report, directed by Michelle Ferrari“The Case for Reparations,” Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Atlantic“One Year of War in the Middle East,” Pod Save the WorldThe Yellow Wind by David Grossman“Obama on his criticism of Israeli settlements: ‘I’m basically a liberal Jew,’” Avery Anopol, The Hill“US media talks a lot about Palestinians—just without Palestinians,” Maha Nassar, +972 MagazineTa-Nehisi Coates interview on CBSBlack Panther graphic novels by Ta-Nehisi CoatesMakdisi Street podcast“Ta-Nehisi Coates: I Was Told Palestine Was Complicated. Visiting Revealed a Simple, Brutal Truth,” Democracy Now!