Confronting Antisemitism, Left and Right (w/ David Frum)

In this episode of The Bulwark, host Mona Charon interviews Atlantic contributing writer David Frum to explore the complex and often conflated relationship between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. Frum traces the origins of the term 'antisemitism' to 19th-century Germany, where it shifted from religious-based prejudice to a biological, racial hatred that made conversion irrelevant—setting the stage for the Holocaust. He argues that while one can criticize Israel’s policies without being antisemitic, the modern anti-Zionist movement often functions as a continuation of this eliminative ideology by rejecting the very existence of a Jewish state. The discussion highlights how criticism of Israel has increasingly targeted its foundational legitimacy rather than specific policies, drawing parallels to apartheid-era South Africa but emphasizing the unique global debate over Israel’s right to exist. Frum also examines how historical trauma—particularly the Holocaust and pogroms across Eastern Europe and the Middle East—drives the Zionist imperative for Jewish self-reliance and sovereignty. He critiques Netanyahu’s political alliances with far-right factions in Israel, warning that such moves damage Israel’s global image and may fuel left-wing antisemitism, especially in the context of U.S. political shifts. The episode concludes with a reflection on the psychological impact of the October 7 attacks and the moral weight of Israel’s response, urging a nuanced understanding of security, legitimacy, and historical memory.