Two Jews (Peter Beinart and Jon Stewart) discuss Israel

[Anonymous]

Yes there's some politics mingled with religion--it's inevitable here. But I thought this was a really good discussion on identity and perspective on the current events. Beinart is orthodox, and Stewart is secular. Worth a watch.

[Anonymous]

I want to add that it's not that they're just two Jews talking about it, but HOW their Jewishness or Jewish identity shapes their mindset and understanding--that I think is particularly interesting and important.

[Anonymous]

Oh my gosh. OP I'm not sure why this one poster has it in for you. What an unhinged ninny.

I will watch this video because I love Jon Stewart. I find him to be intelligent, balanced, and highly empathetic so of course I will learn something from him. I always do. Not sure who the other guy is but a different flavor of Jew is a nice addition.

I certainly don't think of Israel as just another country. It has very different origins and history. I'm very interested in how a variety of people think about Israel, especially people smarter than I am who have given it much more thought.

I would love to ask people in my daily lives but it is not a topic to touch upon these days, so thank you for posting here and opening the convo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my gosh. OP I'm not sure why this one poster has it in for you. What an unhinged ninny.

I will watch this video because I love Jon Stewart. I find him to be intelligent, balanced, and highly empathetic so of course I will learn something from him. I always do. Not sure who the other guy is but a different flavor of Jew is a nice addition.

I certainly don't think of Israel as just another country. It has very different origins and history. I'm very interested in how a variety of people think about Israel, especially people smarter than I am who have given it much more thought.

I would love to ask people in my daily lives but it is not a topic to touch upon these days, so thank you for posting here and opening the convo.

How is it different than Saudi Arabia? Or Japan?

[Anonymous]

I have loved both of them for a long time. Great men.

- a Palestinian

[Anonymous]

Beinart is also the editor of Jewish Currents magazine, which is a super-lefty socialist publication. Still an interesting conversation, but I wouldn't say that either of them are representative of mainstream American Jews.

[Anonymous]

This is an excellent conversation. I'm planning to read Beinart's book soon. He's a good, smart guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beinart is also the editor of Jewish Currents magazine, which is a super-lefty socialist publication. Still an interesting conversation, but I wouldn't say that either of them are representative of mainstream American Jews.

Well yes, just like any demographic, Jews are not a monolith. But it's a good discussion among two very smart Jewish men, and the absurd trope of "anti-Semitism."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beinart is also the editor of Jewish Currents magazine, which is a super-lefty socialist publication. Still an interesting conversation, but I wouldn't say that either of them are representative of mainstream American Jews.

+1. They don’t represent the mainstream at all. So while it is interesting to listen to them, this discussion doesn’t shed much light on the present situation.

[Anonymous]

Agreed but they make sense to many Americans. Its a shame more jews doing believe like they do. The Jewish people I know constantly posting constantly about antisemitism while Israel is committing atrocities are so deaf to reality. Similar to Muslims complaining about verbal attackers on the US after 911.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beinart is also the editor of Jewish Currents magazine, which is a super-lefty socialist publication. Still an interesting conversation, but I wouldn't say that either of them are representative of mainstream American Jews.

Well yes, just like any demographic, Jews are not a monolith. But it's a good discussion among two very smart Jewish men, and the absurd trope of "anti-Semitism."

Did you really just say that antisemitism is an “absurd trope”?

How privileged you must be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes there's some politics mingled with religion--it's inevitable here. But I thought this was a really good discussion on identity and perspective on the current events. Beinart is orthodox, and Stewart is secular. Worth a watch.

No summary? No cliffs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beinart is also the editor of Jewish Currents magazine, which is a super-lefty socialist publication. Still an interesting conversation, but I wouldn't say that either of them are representative of mainstream American Jews.

This. But it will be hugely amplified by people who use it to reassure themselves, as proof that they don’t hate “good” Jews.

[Anonymous]

I think it's important to push back against the rhetoric Netanyahu himself clings to where criticism of the IDF (and Netanyahu himself) is characterized as antisemitism. Netanyahu has been weaponizing this for years, particularlywhen he faces legal trouble, even within his own country.

Unfortunately not helped by people who jump fully into imputing the actions of the IDF onto Jewish populations across the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agreed but they make sense to many Americans. Its a shame more jews doing believe like they do. The Jewish people I know constantly posting constantly about antisemitism while Israel is committing atrocities are so deaf to reality. Similar to Muslims complaining about verbal attackers on the US after 911.

Damn. You believe that it was okay to be Islamophobic after 9/11? And it’s okay to be antisemitic now? Or at least that we shouldn’t be rude enough to mention it, in both those cases?

I’m honestly impressed that you’re consistent, because most people aren’t. Wrong, but consistent.