A round table discussion among friends and colleagues, Miko Peled, Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, and Professor Norton Mezvinsky on the topic of how they individually came to oppose Zionism. While all three are Jewish, each of them comes to the question of Zionism from unique perspectives, whether they be ultra-orthodox, secular, or somewhere in the middle.
July 16, 2020 Speaker Panel:
Guest Panel:
Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro Rabbi Emeritus, Author of The Empty Wagon: Zionism’s Journey from Identity Crisis to Identity Theft
Prof. Norton Mezvinsky Professor Emeritus, President @ International Council for Middle East Studies
Hosted by Miko Peled, Israeli-American Author & Human Rights Activist
Summary:
Rabbi Shapiro is a rabbi emeritus of a congregation in Queens, New York who is known for his exceptional understanding of Judaism and various components of Jewish identity and is perhaps best known for his original and outspoken stance defending the historic Orthodox Jewish position that rejects the concept of Jewish nationalism and thus, opposes Zionism. He is also author of The Empty Wagon: Zionism’s Journey from Identity Crisis to Identity Theft.
Norton Mezvinsky is an American historian, professor, and author. He is a Distinguished University Professor, Emeritus, Central Connecticut State University, and is the president of the International Council for Middle East Studies, an academic think tank in Washington, D. C. He has written numerous published books, articles, and book reviews that deal with various aspects of the Arab-Israeli conflict and Zionism.
Further Reading/Resources:
Books:
The empty wagon : Zionism’s journey from identity crisis to identity theft by Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro
Jewish Fundamentalism in Israel : New Introduction by Norton Mezvinsky
Miko Peled 
Reblogged this on penelopap.
Fascinating discussion. My take, so long as public opinion, which underpins positions of politicians to a large measure, believes Palestinians don’t have their act together on governance, democracy,, or engaging politically, are so overly emotional and irrational they bring bad things their direction, won’t negotiate, don’t compete for the outcome, don’t understand the concept of public relations, don’t create safe ground for politicians to move to….. the established narratives will sadly carry the day.