[Opinion] Peter Beinart’s Embrace of Jewish Powerlessness and anti-Zionism
[Excerpts]
Peter Beinart has emerged as a major leader of the cult of ostensibly Jewish critics of Israel and Zionism. Or professional apologist might be a better description, after he spoke recently at Tel Aviv University (“to speak to Israelis about Israel’s crimes”) and was condemned by the chorus of socialmedia influencers for violating the holy boycott Israel movement. Beinart responded “I made a serious mistake. In the past, when formulating my views about Israel-Palestine, I’ve sought out Palestinian friends and interlocutors and listened carefully to their views. In this case, I did not.”
In contrast to his loyal followers in groups calling themselves “Jewish Voice for Peace” and “IfNotNow” Beinart has more than a trivial familiarity with Jewish tradition and texts, which he displays in presenting his views.
For example, In his mini anti-Zionist polemic, Being Jewish after the destruction of Gaza: A reckoning, Beinart selectively deploys Jewish texts and tradition in making his case. Chapter titles like “They Tried to Kill Us, We Survived, Let’s Eat” and “Korach’s Children” reflect a deep cynicism and snark. He spins the end of Book of Esther, when the Jews, led by Mordechai, attack and slaughter their opponents, or, in Beinart’s version: “with the blood of their enemies barely dry, the Jews feast and make merry.” In a side comment, he asserts “That’s the origin of Purim” – as opposed to the usual rabbinical interpretation emphasizing Jewish survival in the face of a genocidal enemy. This leads directly to the blood libel that belittles the October 7 Hamas atrocities in order to condemn the IDF response.
