Claim OwnershipWe Should All Be Zionists Podcast
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© 2024 We Should All Be Zionists Podcast
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Dr. Einat Wilf, one of the most insightful thinkers on Zionism today, reads essays from her latest compilation of essays book, "We Should All Be Zionists." Then, Dr. Wilf and columnist Blake Flayton discuss the themes of each essay and how they apply to Israel and contemporary Jewish life. Listen for insightful conversation on politics, conflict, peace, religion, revolution, past, present , and future. You can purchase your own copy of "We Should All Be Zionists" anywhere you get your books.
20 Episodes
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In this episode, Einat makes the case that Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, is the one holiday specifically for atheist Zionists, those who founded the State of Israel by rebelling against traditional Jewish theology. Whereas other holidays have been subjected to nationalist re-interpretation in the Zionist context, such as Passover, Purim, and Hanukkah, Independence Day needed no such re-imagination. Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins the discussion to expand more upon the meaning...
In this chapter, Einat analyzes why the Arab world is perceived among the West to be an abject failure -- in governance, democracy, technology, sustainability, and more. But then, we shift to a model of Arab success: the Gulf states, who have recently normalized relations with Israel. The center of the Arab world, culturally, ideologically, and economically, has shifted away from Beirut and Damascus to Dubai. What does this mean for Israel and Jews around the world? Then, columnist Blak...
In this episode, Dr. Wilf makes the case for a crucial Israeli political decision: demarcating a final eastern border. This means officially designating who is in Israel, and who is out. But what does this mean for the presence of Israeli military over the green line? What does the mean for the Palestinians who live there? Columnist Blake Flayton then joins the conversation to discuss models of Israeli disengagement, accusations of apartheid toward Israel's presence in the West Bank, and the ...
In this episode, Dr. Wilf investigates how Americans, and many westerners, view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: through the lens of western race relations, the Israelis as "white" and the Palestinians as "people of color," which may be thought of as a form of neo-colonialism. Or, maybe, "a Disneyland of hate." Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins the conversation to discuss how this ignorance came to develop amongst those who object to western constructs, and the symbolic power of good versu...
In this episode, Einat argues that if the Americans were to open a consulate to the Palestinians deep within East Jerusalem, it would advance the cause of a two-state solution. What does nothing to encourage two states is maintaining embassies in Tel Aviv, a wonderful city, but decidedly not Israel's capital. Neither does it make sense to have consulates for the Palestinians in West Jerusalem, as the capital of Israel is not "neutral territory," as much as the United Nations would like to bel...
In this episode, Einat interrogates the progressive hatred of Israel, and asks: is animosity toward Jews ever due to Jewish behavior? Or perhaps it is a reflection of the society itself -- and something failing in its internal structure. Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins the conversation to ask: how does one come to terms with this historical trend in the modern era, in the age of the State of Israel?
In this episode, Einat reviews "Who Do You Think You Are?" by Yuli Novak, founder of Breaking the Silence, an organization which seeks to inform Jews in Israel and people of all stripes around the world about the occupation of the West Bank. But is there really some big secret being kept from us? Einat proposes that there is something really quite childish (and even spiritual) in learning more about Israel and thinking oneself "liberated" for coming to alternative conclusions. Then, col...
In this episode, Dr. Wilf takes us back to Durban, South Africa in the summer of 2001 at the World Conference Against Racism, which notably descended into an antisemitic hate fest that echoed the debate surrounding UN Resolution 3379, declaring Zionism as a form of racism, in 1975. Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins to discuss the recent trial against Israel at the International Court of Justice and whether or not it is even sensible for Israel to participate in international bodies.
In this special episode, Dr. Wilf reflects on the "Zionism and anti-Zionism" course she taught at Georgetown University several years ago, and how one student had told her that the course was more helpful than "hours of therapy." What did she mean by that? Why do young Jews feel that Zionism has therapeutic powers, and is this phenomenon new? Then, writer David Hazony discusses his new book which incudes this essay by Dr. Wilf, Jewish Priorities, followed by a further conversation on the piec...
In this episode, Dr. Einat Wilf reads an essay on the strong reactions in Israeli society upon the passing of the controversial "Nation State Law" in 2018. The debate around the language and the context of the law are more relevant than ever in 2023. Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins the conversation to discuss both sides of "from the river to the sea" and the disconnection between American and Israeli Jews.
In this episode, Dr. Wilf discusses the differences between Jews who feel comfortable with having power, versus those who don't. What is the relationship between morality and power, progressivism and power? Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins to discuss Christianity's influence on Jewish communities and the rise of anti-Zionism.
In this 2021 op-ed, Dr. Wilf argues that choosing to provide millions more in aid for UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, does nothing but give cover to the dream of undoing Israel by giving political legitimacy to the demand to settle millions of Palestinians within sovereign Israel. Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins the conversation to discuss both Biden and Trump's relationship with Israel in a time of war.
In this episode, Dr. Wilf discusses the relationship of both women and Jews with power. Both feminism and Zionism broke the traditional understandings of the "proper place" for women and Jews. Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins the episode to discuss why young progressives don't understand this concept, and the relationship between Zionism and feminism within Israel itself. This episode was recorded before the events of October 7th.
As Israel still grapples with the traumatic events of October 7th, Dr. Wilf discusses the difference between constructive ambiguity and constructive specificity as they relate to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Is it better to tackle issues like refugees and borders as soon as we get into the room, or is it better to resolve the minor issues first? Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins the conversation to speak about the problem of "moral narcissism" in discussions about the conflict.
In this episode, Einat reads an essay co-authored with Adi Schwartz for Ha'retz in 2018. Wilf and Schwartz discuss why all efforts to transform Gaza, to supply it with the resources needed to better the quality of, life have failed. Then, columnist Blake Flayton and Einat further debunk the myths surrounding Palestinian aid and what they mean for the future of the conflict.
In this episode, marking the thirtieth anniversary of the signing of the Oslo Accords, Dr. Wilf discusses the hope, politics, and disappointment surrounding the agreements. What can Israeli society learn from their failure, should the moment for peace negotiations arise again? Then, columnist Blake Flayton joins to discuss the contemporary discourse regarding Oslo, including recently uncovered and newsworthy revelations.
Dr. Wilf discusses the historical perspective of Ze'ev Jabotinsky, and why his ideas in contemporary Israel are dramatically misunderstood. When it comes to Jewish-Arab relations, is Jabotinsky an icon for the right, or would he align more with Israel's left-wing? Or perhaps, is the answer not that simple? Then, columnist Blake Flayton and Dr. Wilf discuss the ever prominent fault lines in Israel, and why looking to the past may be the best way to prepare for the future.
In this episode, Dr. Wilf discusses the differences between Israel and the United States in their relationship to liberal Judaism. Does Israel need to be more welcoming to reform and conservative Judaism in the face of Rabbinate authority, or perhaps, is the solution more secularism, so each and every Jew can choose to practice as they please? Blake Flayton and Dr. Wilf then discuss the complexities of liberal Judaism and how they relates to Israel's current political climate.
Dr. Wilf discusses the democratic tradition of Israel and the Jewish people, even in times when inclinations towards pluralism seem most challenged. Then, Blake Flayton and Dr. Wilf discuss contemporary politics in Israel, debates over policy, what the future has in store, and why democracy is the hot topic of the day.
Dr. Wilf discusses the psychological implications of anti-Zionism on Jews in the Diaspora today, from campus, to political organizations, and beyond, and the differences between right-wing and left-wing antisemitism. Then, Blake Flayton and Dr. Wilf discuss Blake's personal experience with anti-Zionism in college, and how it affected him and how it affects many young Jewish people today.
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