In this very special episode, recorded on a “National Day of Resistance Against Dictatorship,” Noah tries your patience trying to figure out what the hell this conflict is about.
The “A Conflict That Contains Lifetimes of Conflicts” Edition
Subscribe To Our Podcasts
Outstanding Noah!
The lack of consideration of the other is the root of all conflict.
This should be essential listening for all Israelis and Jews.
Thank you, Adir. It is such a rare, kind thing to take the time and make the effort to say an encouraging word, and I am grateful to you!
Noah,
Man, so you argue that since some groups, or “them”, have received a few right so now they’re coming for the “not them” wealthier, larger group? Hmmm, sounds confused and circumspect in my opinion. Are you booked for CPAC in America?
Deep trawl Herr Noah, deep trawl.
I suggest everyone read the wsj editorial. A solution based on American democracy is possible. But there is a need for reform if you compare the two judicial systems
I haven’t listened to the podcast for a long time – for many reasons – but – for many reasons – I was drawn into listening to this episode. I found Noah’s audio essay brilliants and moving. And yes, understanding “them” is difficult but essential. I would love to get a transcript – is this possible?
Wonderful to hear from you, Patti, and I (Noah) was happy to learn that you’d listened to the show, and thought it had something that made it worth the time you spent. Obviously, there are notes for what I said — though not quite a script — but they are a bit of a mess. Email me if there is any particular part you’re interested in, and I’ll see what sort of shape it’s in.
I hope you and yours are well and thriving!
The conflict over the proposed judicial reforms is much more about the future than the past. The goal of the reforms is to control future court decisions. Even without the interesting historical brew of annimosities and resentments you eloquently explain, the coalition and their supporters would be attempting to foist the changes on the rest of the country. Exaggerating the importance of the past is an understandable mistake for a historian. I always enjoy the show and am looking forward to your next book.
I appreciate both your kind word and your criticism. You may be right that I give too much weight to the power of past grievances, and you may be right that, as an historian, I’m trained to do exactly this. Of course, I don’t see it that way but, then, I wouldn’t, would I? It’s just I think the wish to control future court decisions is a product of a deep discontent over past ones, but now I am just repeating myself, aren’t I? Point is, I see your point, up to a point, and that’s the point to which I’ve gotten. I am confident that, with that statement, I have managed to clarify everything!
Thanks for writing!
Noah, Longtimel listener to the podcast. Your special episode and take on the current constitutional crisis was beautifully detailed and articulately described. You really laid out the cultural history of why the conflict goes way beyond the issue of just judicial reform… and you wonderfully put in a plea for tolerance and listening, and trying to see that the OTHER are not Facists or anti-democratic on either side, but battling for the control and power, and keeping what they see as essential to Israeli cultural identity. You kind of hint at a bit of optimism there, if only people were willing to just talk with each other — instead of yelling at each other. Kol Hakavod!
Thank you very much, Tamir, for the gentle, generous and kind things you wrote. It is almost unseemly, these days, but I do feel sure that this will pass and think that, in the scheme of things, this mess we are going through now will be part of a long and painful process that leads Israel to be a more, not less, decent place. This is the sort of thing you cannot say in public these days, but deep down it is what I believe.