#45: Dov Waxman - "Trouble in the Tribe"

In his book, "Trouble in the Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict Over Israel," Dr. Dov Waxman explains how criticizing Israel is no longer the third rail of being an American Jew. At one time, criticizing Israel was off limits, seen as essential to preserving the nation that was seen as a refuge for a group of people who were perennially under siege. Today, there is no conflict that divides American Jews more than Israel itself, and perhaps no bigger foreign policy debate in the United States. Professor Waxman explains how and why attitudes towards Israel shifted among American Jews, and whether it is supportive of Israel to critique Israel. Can one support Israel while criticizing the actions the Israeli government takes? How about questioning American support for Israel? 

He explores how Israel came to be seen as a "real country with real problems," and how American Jews debate how Israel should approach their conflicts with people of the Palestinian territory, with the Iranian government and with America itself. He also explains how the solid foundation American Jews find themselves on domestically give room for critique of the Israeli government.

Dr. Waxman is available on Twitter at twitter.com/dovwaxman

He is the chair of Israel studies at UCLA which can be found at international.ucla.edu/israel

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