Three Jews, Four Opinions Three Jews

This week the Three Jews discuss Walter Russell Mead’s important new book “The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People”; while two cases of anti-Zionism – in Germany and the U.S. – prompt discussions on when criticism of Israel crosses the line into antisemitism, and whether Zionism constitutes a national identity for American Jews.

There’s also Gabi’s latest update from Poland, Abe’s renaming of a Picasso masterpiece, and Paul’s “One Opinion” on the revelations in Jared Kushner’s tell-all White House memoir.

The podcast will be on a break for a few weeks. Follow and subscribe on your favorite podcast provider to make sure you don’t miss the next episode!

Follow (and argue with) us on Twitter - @3Jews4Opinions @abesilbe @Brahmski @pauldgross

Articles referred to can be found here:

Why Does America Support Israel?

Documenta to Remove Work Accused of Anti-Semitism

Can the Palestinian Belong to a Universal History?

USC Faces Investigation Over Alleged Student Harassment

Kushner: Trump weighed endorsing Gantz after ‘fuming’ at Netanyahu’s annexation plan

This week the Three Jews discuss Biden’s Middle East trip, why Utah might well be secular Israel’s new favorite American state, and just who are “The New Puritans” of Noah Rothman’s new book.

There are also digressions aplenty, including same-sex marriage and a joke that Paul hopes his wife won’t hear, and the (by now seemingly obligatory) multiple references to Andrew Sullivan. Gabi recommends a rival podcast, and Abe does a deep-dive into the left side of Israeli politics in his “One Opinion” segment.

Follow (and argue with) us on Twitter - @3Jews4Opinions
@abesilbe
@Brahmski
@pauldgross

*And a special request: please help us grow our listener base by posting links to the podcast on your social media pages, and by rating and reviewing us wherever you get your podcast.

Articles referred to can be found here:

Biden Can Unite Israel and Saudi Arabia to Meet Iran Threat

Why the pro-Palestinian Left Doesn't Want to Be Part of the 'Circle of Peace'

Biden’s Visit Bodes Ill for Israel

Court rules online civil marriages valid, upending Israel’s religious status quo

Utah marriage ruling isn't civil marriage in Israel, but it's progress

The New Puritans

Latest Drama in the Elon Musk vs. Twitter Fight, with The Fifth Column Hosts (YouTube clip)

The Effects of the Decline in Trust in Institutions, with the Red Scare Podcast Hosts (YouTube clip)

Welcome to "Eyes on the Right" (Damon Linker’s new substack)

If you thought it was only debates around Israeli and American politics that caused paroxysms of outrage among the Three Jews, think again. Boris Johnson’s resignation as British prime minister is debated in a manner more akin to a soccer game brawl than an English tea party. Enjoy!

Israel and the U.S. are also discussed of course; with intra-Jewish fighting over the egalitarian section of the Western Wall, and accusations of racism against Justice Clarence Thomas also on the menu. This week’s ‘One Opinion’ is Gabi’s lauding of an anthropology professor’s voluntary resignation from UCLA, over the woke persecution of one of his colleagues.

And don’t miss our shout-out to the wonderfully named Joey Chestnut, for his extraordinary hot-dog-eating talents!

Follow (and argue with) us on Twitter - @3Jews4Opinions
@abesilbe
@Brahmski
@pauldgross

Articles referred to can be found here:

Harassment at a Western Wall bar mitzvah renews the fight over prayer spaces in Israel

Boris Johnson plumbed the depths of degeneracy in his shabby carnival of misrule

Why Bibi won’t do a Boris (Paul’s recent blog in the Times of Israel)

What the reactions to Clarence Thomas post-Roe reveal about white liberals

Why I'm Giving Up Tenure at UCLA

Israel has a new Prime Minister (for now), anti-Zionist Twitter has a new troll, and lovers of post-racial America have a new favorite movie (according to Gabi - and Michael Anton).

The Three Jews argue over Yair Lapid's merits; debate the curious case of an Israel-bashing Jewish convert, and ponder what Top Gun: Maverick has to teach us about race in America. There's also a surprisingly long conversation about meat-based sandwiches, and a shout-out to the Pinsker Centre (yes, it is spelled that way, it's British!)

Happy 4th July to all our American listeners!

Follow (and argue with) us on Twitter - @3Jews4Opinions
@abesilbe
@Brahmski
@pauldgross

Articles referred to can be found here:

Lapid has a chance to be what Israel needs in his turn as PM

Only the center can hold: Democracy and the battle of ideas

Avodah denies pressure caused it to fire anti-Zionist activist

‘Top Gun: Maverick’— A Boomer Fantasy

The collapse of Israel’s governing coalition is the first news story covered by the Three Jews this week, and there’s more on the still-unsolved mystery: “Who shot Shireen Abu Akleh”. Finally, a debate about Gabi’s friends, the National Conservatives; their official stated principles, and a possible liberal response to them in Francis Fukuyama’s new book – or perhaps in an old essay of Paul’s, once cited (he won’t tire of telling you) by Israel’s new prime minister Yair Lapid.

And don’t miss Abe's unforgettable contributions to both the episode’s intro (trigger-warning required for astronauts), and conclusion.

Follow (and argue with) us on Twitter - @3Jews4Opinions
@abesilbe
@Brahmski
@pauldgross

Articles referred to can be found here:

Why the Israeli government failed but isn’t a failure

The Workings of the Palestinian Propaganda Machine

Why Israel’s 'Hasbara Queen' Failed Miserably to Explain Shireen Abu Akleh’s Killing (Abe’s recent Haaretz article)

National Conservatism: A Statement of Principles

Authoritarianism is surging. Can liberal democracy fight back?

The Case for Liberal Nationalism (Paul’s 2020 essay for The American Interest)

In this week’s episode, an Israeli government minister, the 45th President of the United States, and the contemporary American Jewish man, all go under the Three Jews’ microscope.

You’ll hear the most understated criticism ever of the Second Intifada, and wildly differing views on Joshua Cohen’s novel The Netanyahus. You'll also learn why Gabi and Paul don't discuss Donald Trump when they want to meet for a friendly drink. Finally, a sneak peek into what Gabi’s been up to in Budapest.

Follow (and argue with) us on Twitter - @3Jews4Opinions
@abesilbe
@Brahmski
@pauldgross

Articles referred to can be found here:

Only Abbas Got Kahana Right

What History Teaches Us About January 6th

American Jewry's Stunted Sons

Woman in Dark Times: Free as a Jew is a Memoir for Our Polarized Age (Gabi’s 2021 review of Ruth Wisse’s memoir)