Nation State Disrupted! Israel as a Symbol

Dr. Tamara Schwartz welcomes back Dr. Stephen Stern, Associate Professor of Judaic Studies at Gettysburg College, for the second installment of their conversation on Israel, anti-Zionism, antisemitism, and the politics of power. Building on their previous discussion of the complex relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism and the unique moral expectations often placed upon Israel, this episode explores the role of narratives in shaping public perception of Israel as a symbol rather than simply a nation-state. Together, they examine where legitimate criticism of Israeli policy ends and broader questions of legitimacy, collective responsibility, and Jewish sovereignty begin.