The “Opinions, Opinions, Opinions!” Edition

Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

What They Think About Us
More than half college-age American kids think Israel should be “ended and given to Hamas”? Really?

What They Think About Them
72% of Palestinians on the West Bank think Hamas’s decision to do what it did on October 7 “was the correct one”? Really?

What We Think About Us & Them
Four in five Israelis tell pollsters that the suffering of Gaza civilians shouldn’t change how Israel fights the war? Really?

Adam Unrehearsed!
For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: Don Futterman reads part of his new novel, Adam Unrehearsed! It’s like hearing Crime & Punishment read by Dostoyevsky, or the Bible read by God!

All that and songs of these times, mostly sung together.

Songs

  • Malakh Sheli — Miki Gavrielov and Kids of Nahal Oz 
  • Zeh Beseder — Benaia Barabi and folks from the Nova 
  • Latzet mihadikaon — Yagel Oshri & the Northern Command IDF Singing Troupe 
  • Hashemesh Tahzor — Hatikvah Shesh

Previous Episodes

5 comments on “The “Opinions, Opinions, Opinions!” Edition

  1. guido franzinetti says:

    In understanding (and condemning) the reactions of many sectors of the Western Left I feel many Israeli commentators (especially those who feel let down by the Western Left) miss a crucial point.

    The waves of Holocaust Education over the past decades have not only not played a role in promoting an understanding of the predicament of Israel, but have actually backfired. They have actually promoted anti-Israeli attitudes, especially through the generalised adoption of the Israeli ‘settler state’ paradigm.

    This issue would require a more extensive discussions.

    1. Noah Efron says:

      Thank you for writing, Guido. I am not sure I fully understand your point, though. In what way as Holocaust education promoted anti-Israeli attitudes through the generalized adoption of the Israeli “settler state” paradigm? I would be eager to understand more deeply what you mean.

  2. Noah Efron says:

    Thank you for writing, Guido. I am not sure I fully understand your point, though. In what way as Holocaust education promoted anti-Israeli attitudes through the generalized adoption of the Israeli “settler state” paradigm? I would be eager to understand more deeply what you mean.

    1. guido franzinetti says:

      I have come across the following talk by Derek Penslar:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SWi30ISMk4

      I think makes all the relevant points on the ‘settler colonialism’ paradigm.

      He does not make any reference to the connection with Holocaust Education, but he does point out that the Holocaust has increased in relevance for Israel, and he does also point out the decreasing relevance of the Holocaust in some European countries (e.g., Germany). So the connection Holocasut Education/settler colonialism paradigm is not proven. Maybe. All I can see is their parallel development. Post hoc, propter hoic?

  3. gilli treiman says:

    Can you
    send me the link to the Regina Spector song?

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