An episode discussing Hasidic/Orthodox Anti-Zionism in depth, with historian David Biale.

There has been quite a bit of public conversation about Hasidic Anti-zionism. In one well-circulated tweet, critics of Zionism touted a gathering of 40,000 Satmar Hasidim as an event that proved the Jewish solidarity with the secular anti-zionist movement. But Satmar was quick to tweet back that they were in no way expressing any kind of collaboration or sympathies with the secular anti-zionist movement. You can see the tweet here:
https://friedavizel.com/2023/12/15/satmar-anti-zionism-vs-secular-anti-zionism/

While there is a lot of controversy and opinions around Israel, and I am completely appreciative of debating the war and many people's positions, I feel very strongly about clarifying the many misconceptions around Orthodox Jewish anti-zionism. And so, after much thought, I decided to discuss this issue with the brilliant historian David Biale (who seems to have a superhuman memory) and he brought so much nuance and insight into the topic. It isn't an easy topic to discuss, especially the aspects of the Satmar rebbe, but I feel like this difficult discussion was handled by my guest with as much objectivity and humanity as I could hope for. I invite you to check out my other video with David and the book that brought me to him: 'Hasidism a New History' which you can find anywhere where books are sold.

Hasidism | Princeton University Press

Youtube version here: https://youtu.be/mQC4g--Q-fM

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