Jewish Currents

Jewish Currents Examining the ADL’s Antisemitism Audit - A line-by-line reassessment of the organization’s data illuminates the flaws in its methodology. 17 Jun

The ADL's Antisemitism Audit, which tracks antisemitic incidents in the US, has come under scrutiny for its methodology. In 2023, out of 16,040 incidents tra...

17 Jun

Jewish Currents Self-Rule Without Sovereignty - Political scientist Diana B. Greenwald on the promises and pitfalls of Palestinian local governance in the shadow of Israeli occupation. 17 Jun

Political scientist Diana B. Greenwald discusses Palestinian local governance under Israeli occupation, showcasing how even at the local level, Palestinian l...

17 Jun

Jewish Currents “In the Middle of Fighting for Freedom We Found Ourselves Free” - June Jordan’s 1993 tribute to Audre Lorde, her sister-in-arms from the ’60s student protests and beyond 29 May

June Jordan's 1993 tribute to Audre Lorde reflects on their shared activism in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, particularly during student protes...

29 May

Jewish Currents The Complicity of Israeli Academia - Scholar Maya Wind discusses Israeli universities’ longstanding role in Palestinian subjugation. 23 May

Maya Wind discusses the complicity of Israeli academia in Palestinian subjugation and the ongoing occupation. She highlights how Israeli universities have hi...

23 May

Jewish Currents After More Than 100 Arms Shipments to Israel, Biden Withholds One - Experts say the administration’s attempt to “send a message” to Israel falls flat as it skirts legal requirements to cut off arms transfers. 16 May

President Biden announced on CNN that the US would halt certain arms shipments to Israel following civilian casualties in Gaza. While some Republicans critic...

16 May

Jewish Currents The Right’s Anti-Israel Insurgents - A burgeoning anti-Zionist strain in the America First movement looks to capitalize on popular disaffection over Palestine for its own ends. 15 May

A growing anti-Zionist sentiment within the America First movement, as exemplified by Tucker Carlson’s interview with Palestinian Pastor Munther Isaac, is ch...

15 May

Jewish Currents Yiddish Anarchists' Break Over Palestine - An exchange in the anarchist newspaper Di fraye arbeter shtime after the 1929 Hebron massacre offers a case study in Jewish discourse and political reaction after immense violence. 10 May

An exchange in the anarchist newspaper "Di fraye arbeter shtime" following the 1929 Hebron massacre delves into Jewish discourse and political reactions. An ...

10 May

Jewish Currents The Anti-Union Lobby’s Newest Weapon - Now armed with cynical antisemitism allegations, the corporate-backed effort to destroy unions is ramping up. 10 May

Anti-union forces are utilizing cynical allegations of antisemitism to undermine labor unions, as seen in lawsuits against the Association of Legal Aid Attor...

10 May

Jewish Currents Reviving the Language of Empire - Aziz Rana on revisiting the anti-imperialism of the 1960s and ’70s amid the return of left internationalism. 9 May

Aziz Rana discusses revisiting the anti-imperialism of the 1960s and 70s amidst the resurgence of left internationalism. He challenges the idea that the radi...

9 May

Jewish Currents Who Has the Right to “Disrupt” the University? - The very administrators now cracking down on student protests’ “disruptiveness” have been dismantling higher education for decades. 3 May

Administrators at various universities, including Columbia, have taken harsh measures against student protesters seeking divestment from Israel, leading to h...

3 May

Jewish Currents Campus in Crisis - 3 May

The comic "Put Up, Take Down" by Solomon Brager portrays a hostage poster diary, highlighting the theme of a campus in crisis. Through the illustrations, Bra...

3 May

Jewish Currents Anatomy of a Moral Panic - The repressive machine currently arrayed against campus protests follows a familiar pattern. 2 May

Pro-Palestine student protests on college campuses are met with violent crackdowns, justified by some mainstream media as necessary to combat alleged antisem...

2 May

Jewish Currents How Much Must We Sacrifice for Justice? - An investigation through Jewish text, in the wake of Aaron Bushnell’s self-immolation for Gaza 26 Apr

This text explores the concept of sacrifice and justice through Jewish texts in the aftermath of Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation for Gaza. The discussion de...

26 Apr

Jewish Currents Weird Passover - 19 Apr

Hal Schrieve, a librarian in New York, considers Leslie Feinberg's Drag King Dreams to be their most relevant religious text. Schrieve's first book, Out of S...

19 Apr

Jewish Currents Co-Resistance at a Crossroads - As anti-Palestinian violence in the West Bank reaches new heights, a beleaguered movement gathers to reflect. 16 Apr

The article discusses a gathering of Palestinian and Israeli activists involved in civil resistance in the West Bank, particularly in the Masafer Yatta regio...

16 Apr

Jewish Currents Weeping for Babylon - Avi Shlaim discusses the factors behind the exodus of Iraqi Jews and how the concept of the “Arab-Jew” can chart an alternative future. 15 Apr

Avi Shlaim's discussion of the exodus of Iraqi Jews sheds light on the abrupt dissolution of Jewish life in Iraq following the establishment of Israel, which...

15 Apr

Jewish Currents “Nothing Is Immutable” - Literary scholar Saree Makdisi discusses Zionism’s structures of denial, imperial racial logics, and the horizon of coexistence. 12 Apr

Literary scholar Saree Makdisi delves into Zionism's denial tactics, imperial racial logics, and the potential for coexistence. He criticizes the suppression...

12 Apr

Jewish Currents Weaponization and Denial - Since October 7th, Israel’s use of evidentiary claims as justification for its devastation of Gaza has fed a countervailing strain of untruth. 10 Apr

In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks in Gaza, Israeli documentaries like #NOVA and Bearing Witness aim to provide evidence and counter denial of the v...

10 Apr

Jewish Currents Chuck Schumer and Democrats’ New Line on “Netanyahu’s War” - The majority leader’s recent speech exemplifies his party’s effort to isolate Netanyahu and pacify voters without changing policy. 26 Mar

Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader, recently criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict in Gaza, call...

26 Mar

Jewish Currents Facing Amalek - Reading the biblical injunction to genocide amid a genocide 22 Mar

This article explores the complex and contentious topic of the biblical mandate to destroy Amalek while examining its modern-day implications in light of Isr...

22 Mar

Jewish Currents Between Exclusion and Exploitation - Israel’s far right wants to permanently replace Palestinian workers, but employing them has become key to maintaining the occupation. 20 Mar

The article discusses the ongoing debate in Israel regarding the employment of Palestinian workers, with far-right leaders calling for their permanent remova...

20 Mar

Jewish Currents The Suppressed Lineage of American Jewish Dissent on Zionism - In his recent book Our Palestine Question, historian Geoffrey Levin uncovers the long history of American Jewish concern for Palestinian rights. 13 Mar

Geoffrey Levin's book "Our Palestine Question" sheds light on the suppressed American Jewish dissent on Zionism and concern for Palestinian rights dating bac...

13 Mar

Jewish Currents Israeli Aid Policies Drive Starvation - US initiatives to airdrop and ship aid to Gaza are logistical workarounds to a political problem. 12 Mar

President Biden announced the establishment of a temporary sea pier to deliver humanitarian aid to starving Palestinians in Gaza, with the US military alread...

12 Mar

Jewish Currents “A Counterrevolution Always Comes” - Vincent Bevins on the lessons that the global mass protests of the 2010s hold for our moment. 6 Mar

Vincent Bevins discusses the global mass protests of the 2010s and their lessons for current movements, like the recent pro-Palestine protests. He highlights...

6 Mar

Jewish Currents Understanding Biden’s Settler Sanctions Strategy - The administration’s sanctions on Israeli settlers are an attempt to mollify its disillusioned base without confronting the Israeli government. 5 Mar

President Joe Biden's recent sanctions targeting Israeli settlers involved in violence in the West Bank are seen as an attempt to address domestic discontent...

5 Mar

Jewish Currents Maqam for a Green Silence - "Al-Khidr’s only condition for the prophet to join him on his journey was Moses’ unconditional silence. Moses said he was up for it, and the saint said, 'You won’t be able to bear it.'" 1 Mar

In "Maqam for a Green Silence," the text explores the concept of silence as seen in the Quranic story of Moses meeting the Servant of God. Moses is asked to ...

1 Mar

Jewish Currents Pro-Palestine Politics Hit a Wall in Keir Starmer’s Labour Party - The leadership of the UK’s main opposition party has managed to contain internal dissent over Israel’s war on Gaza. 27 Feb

The Labour Party in the UK, under Keir Starmer's leadership, has faced internal challenges regarding its stance on Israel's actions in Gaza. Starmer has mana...

27 Feb

Jewish Currents Put Up, Take Down - A hostage poster diary comic 26 Feb

Yoram Hazony, the founder of the National Conservative movement, views Israel as a model for international nationalist movements despite its illiberal tenden...

26 Feb

Jewish Currents “The Scenes in Rafah Are Straight From a Nightmare” - Three displaced Palestinians describe unlivable conditions in a city bracing for imminent Israeli invasion. 20 Feb

Three displaced Palestinians from Rafah in Gaza describe the dire and unlivable conditions in the city as they brace for an imminent Israeli invasion. One re...

20 Feb

Jewish Currents Israel's Crackdown on Hebron - Intensified restrictions on Palestinian life in the West Bank city, introduced after October 7th, could become permanent and even spread elsewhere. 13 Feb

Israel has intensified its crackdown on Palestinians in the West Bank city of Hebron since October 7th, with increased violence and repression. Israeli settl...

13 Feb

Jewish Currents The Campaign to Abolish UNRWA - The recent defunding of the aid agency is part of a longstanding effort to extinguish Palestinian refugees’ dreams of return. 13 Feb

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been providing essential services to Palestinian refugees since 1949, is facing a campaign to a...

13 Feb

Jewish Currents J Street’s Pro-War Stance Prompts Staff Departures - The liberal Zionist lobbying group’s support for Israel’s assault on Gaza has sparked staff dissent and alienated onetime allies. 9 Feb

Staff departures at J Street, a liberal Zionist lobbying group, have been prompted by the organization's support for Israel's assault on Gaza. Several employ...

9 Feb

Jewish Currents What the Israeli Public Doesn’t See - In largely ignoring the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the Israeli media both shapes and reflects public opinion. 7 Feb

The Israeli media has been largely ignoring the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which is shaping and reflecting public opinion. Israeli news chan...

7 Feb

Jewish Currents An Israeli “Buffer Zone” Could Shape Gaza’s Post-War Reality - By creating a militarized border area inside Gaza, Israel has started shrinking the Palestinian territory while opening the door for future Jewish settlements. 6 Feb

Israel has begun creating a militarized buffer zone along the Gaza Strip border, which could lead to the shrinking of Palestinian territory and the potential...

6 Feb

Jewish Currents What the UAW Ceded in Endorsing Biden - Union leaders have not only betrayed their ceasefire call, but also backtracked on their fight to redefine the labor movement as a truly political force. 2 Feb

The United Auto Workers (UAW) endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election despite previously calling for a permanent ceasefire in Israel/Palestine. This dec...

2 Feb

Jewish Currents “You Cannot Study Israel Without Palestine” - A conversation with the editors of the new academic journal Palestine/Israel Review, which advocates a “relational approach” to studying the region’s intertwined histories. 31 Jan

The article discusses the emergence of a new academic journal called Palestine/Israel Review, which advocates for a relational approach to studying the inter...

31 Jan

Jewish Currents “Even as We Are Trying to Help, We Are Being Attacked” - Three humanitarian workers in Gaza describe the challenges of providing aid while struggling to survive. 23 Jan

This article discusses the challenges faced by humanitarian workers in Gaza as they try to provide aid in the midst of the ongoing conflict. UNRWA, which nor...

23 Jan

Jewish Currents The “Postcolonial” Colonization of Kashmir - In a new book, historian Hafsa Kanjwal charts India’s decades-long consolidation of power in the occupied region. 22 Jan

In her book "Colonizing Kashmir: State-Building Under Indian Occupation," historian Hafsa Kanjwal argues that India has maintained an occupation in Kashmir s...

22 Jan

Jewish Currents Regional War: An Explainer - Answers to common questions about the broadening war in the Middle East. 17 Jan

The article discusses the current state of the broadening war in the Middle East. It mentions that the US and British air forces have bombed areas in Yemen i...

17 Jan

Jewish Currents The Work of the Witness - Three months into a livestreamed genocide, we must ask—what does all this looking do? 12 Jan

The article examines the concept of witnessing in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The author explores the idea of "witness" in both ...

12 Jan

Jewish Currents Israel's Defense - 10 Jan

In this essay, Yoram Hazony argues that Israel serves as a model for nationalist movements around the world, despite its illiberal tendencies. While many ass...

10 Jan

Jewish Currents “Not a Day Goes by Where I Don’t Think About Leaving” - Two Biden administration staffers describe growing internal dissent over the US’s refusal to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. 9 Jan

There is growing internal dissent within the Biden administration over the US's unconditional support for Israel's assault on Gaza. Thousands of officials ha...

9 Jan

Jewish Currents The Epidemiological War on Gaza - Disease is poised to become an even deadlier second front in Israel’s assault on the besieged Strip. 5 Jan

The ongoing assault on Gaza by Israel not only has devastating effects in terms of physical destruction but also poses a significant threat to public health....

5 Jan

Jewish Currents Top Executive Leaves ADL Over CEO’s Praise of Elon Musk - Yaël Eisenstat’s departure is the most prominent instance of post-October 7th dissent within the organization. 3 Jan

Yal Eisenstat, a top executive at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), has left the organization due to disagreements with CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. Eisenstat cr...

3 Jan

Jewish Currents “A Day in the Life of Abed Salama” After October 7th - Nathan Thrall on his new book and the escalating repression of pro-Palestine speech. 19 Dec 2023

Nathan Thrall's new book, "A Day in the Life of Abed Salama," tells the story of a deadly crash in the West Bank that resulted from the architecture of occup...

19 Dec 2023

Jewish Currents Democrats Slam Lack of Congressional Oversight on Israel Arms Sale - Despite its stated concern about the civilian toll in Gaza, the Biden administration is using emergency powers to expedite weapons transfers to Israel. 14 Dec 2023

The Biden administration has invoked emergency powers to expedite the sale of tank shells to Israel, bypassing Congressional review. This decision has drawn ...

14 Dec 2023

Jewish Currents Israel’s “Humanitarian” Expulsion - The Israeli right is capitalizing on the aftermath of October 7th to build support for a permanent transfer of Palestinians out of Gaza. 12 Dec 2023

Israeli lawmakers from the ruling Likud party and the liberal opposition Yesh Atid party have authored an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal advocating for the...

12 Dec 2023

Jewish Currents The Luminous Dark - How can we understand Hanukkah in a way that rejects colonial conceptions of light and dark? 12 Dec 2023

Hanukkah is typically understood as a holiday about light conquering darkness. However, the binary of light as good and darkness as chaotic and evil is a col...

12 Dec 2023

Jewish Currents Harvard Is Ignoring Its Own Antisemitism Experts - The university’s new advisory group on antisemitism elevates political concerns over academic integrity. 11 Dec 2023

Harvard University has been facing pressure from alumni and donors to address antisemitism on campus. The university's new advisory group on antisemitism, fo...

11 Dec 2023

Jewish Currents Progressive Zionists Choose a Side - In attending the November 14th March for Israel and refusing to call for a ceasefire, many progressive Jewish groups have cast their lot with the Jewish mainstream. 8 Dec 2023

Progressive Jewish groups, including J Street and Truah, attended a March for Israel on November 14th and refused to call for a ceasefire, aligning themselve...

8 Dec 2023