#1715 The Weaponization of Antisemitism and Counterproductive Violence

<p><strong>Air Date: 6-11-2025</strong></p> <p>Following the 2023 attack and counterattack between Israel and Hamas which brought the simmering conflict into the mainstream of American politics, we're now living with the opportunistic weaponization of antisemitism being used as a pretext to crack down on anti-Israel protests and universities that just aren't teaching a Trump-aligned curriculum. Meanwhile, genuinely inexcusable antisemitism is being either condemned or excused by Israel supporters based more on political affiliation than the danger posed to Jews.</p> <p>Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email <a href="mailto:Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.bestoftheleft.com/1715" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Full Show Notes</a></p> <p><strong>Check out our new show, SOLVED! on</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@BestOfTheLeft" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">YouTube</a>!</p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.bestoftheleft.com/support" rel="noopener" target="_blank">BestOfTheLeft.com/Support</a> (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)</strong></p> <p><strong>Use our links to shop</strong> <a href="https://bookshop.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bookshop.org</a> and <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&amp;awinaffid=262399&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Fswitch" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Libro.fm</a> for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!</p> <p><a href="https://discord.gg/dhyZE3WMJn" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Join our Discord community</a>!</p> <p><strong>KEY POINTS</strong></p> <p>KP 1: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhPdqLud4F4" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">I Am Not Your Pawn - Rabbi Sharon Brous | Purim 5785 - IKAR - Air Date 3-8-25</a></p> <p>KP 2: <a href="https://kpfa.org/episode/against-the-grain-april-2-2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">U.S. Jewish Anti-Zionism - Against the Grain - Air Date 4-2-25</a></p> <p>KP 3: <a href="https://zeteo.com/p/who-are-jino-jews-and-why-do-conservatives" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Who Are 'JINO Jews' and Why Do Conservatives Hate Them? - Zeteo - Air Date 3-6-25</a></p> <p>KP 4: <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2025/5/22/nothing_can_justify_it_journalist_gideon" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">"Nothing Can Justify It": Journalist Gideon Levy Reacts to Killing of Israeli Embassy Staffers in D.C. - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-22-25</a></p> <p>KP 5: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8JGMrOE2QY" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CNN Attempts To Make 'Free Palestine' Offensive - The Rational National - Air Date 5-23-25</a></p> <p>KP 6: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S_z0i6SR2E" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Antisemitism Panic Part 1 - matt bernstein - Air Date 5-30-25</a></p> <p><strong>(00:50:04) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR</strong></p> <p>On why violence makes for a terrible theory of change</p> <p><strong>DEEPER DIVES</strong></p> <p><strong>(00:59:36) SECTION A: FREE SPEECH</strong></p> <p>A1: <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/video/he-wrote-a-definition-of-antisemitism-now-he-says-its-being-weaponized/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">He Helped Define Antisemitism; Now He Says the Term Is Being Weaponized - Amanpour and Company - Air Date 5-1-24</a></p> <p>A2: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgh0ZkLcYRg" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Noem Makes WILD Claims About "Hamas Agents" At Harvard - The Majority Report w/ Sam Seder - Air Date 5-23-25</a></p> <p>A3: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaJmw8RVrOU" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Harvard professor hits back at Trump administration - LBC - Air Date 5-24-25</a></p> <p><strong>(01:28:03) SECTION B: WEAPONIZATION</strong></p> <p>B1: <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/ayman-mohyeldin/watch/how-the-weaponization-of-antisemitism-is-becoming-a-grave-threat-to-freedom-of-speech-in-america-238415941640&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">How the weaponization of antisemitism is becoming a grave threat to freedom of speech in America - AYMAN - Air Date 4-26-25</a></p> <p>B2: <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/13/education_department_trump_abolish" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Ex-Education Dept. Official: Trump Is Dismantling Agency as He Weaponizes It Against Gaza Protesters - Democracy Now! - Air Date 3-13-25</a></p> <p>B3: <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/as-u-s-pauses-student-visa-interviews-education-and-immigration-advocates-share-views" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Why the U.S. is pausing all student visa interviews - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 5-28-25</a></p> <p>B4: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S_z0i6SR2E" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Antisemitism Panic Part 2 - matt bernstein - Air Date 5-30-25</a></p> <p><strong>(01:59:28) SECTION C: INDEFENSIBLE</strong></p> <p>C1: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qqhbjsiBn4" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Palestinian BABIES are the ENEMY - Israeli politician - Owen Jones - Air Date 5-23-25</a></p> <p>C2: <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/investigators-say-man-used-makeshift-flamethrower-in-attack-on-pro-israel-group-in-boulder" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Investigators say man used makeshift flamethrower in attack on pro-Israel group in Boulder - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 6-3-25</a></p> <p><strong>(02:11:29) SECTION D: BACKFIRE</strong></p> <p>D1: <a href="https://zeteo.com/p/the-bullsht-of-bill-maher-gianmarco" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The 'Bullsh*t' of Bill Maher — Gianmarco Soresi on Israel, Antisemitism, and 'Anti-Woke' Comedy Part 1- Zeteo - Air Date 5-5-25</a></p> <p>D2: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhST1Q230zI" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Redefining of Antisemitism | Gianmarco Soresi | Stand Up Comedy - Gianmarco Soresi - Air Date 10-20-24</a></p> <p>D3: <a href="https://zeteo.com/p/the-bullsht-of-bill-maher-gianmarco" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The 'Bullsh*t' of Bill Maher — Gianmarco Soresi on Israel, Antisemitism, and 'Anti-Woke' Comedy Part 2 - Zeteo - Air Date 5-5-25</a></p> <p><strong>SHOW IMAGE CREDITS</strong></p> <p>Description: A metal placeholder with the Star of David on it resting between two pages of the Torah. 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