The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Episode: Courting Anti-Zionists
Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Jon Van Horcitz (Editor, Commentary Magazine)
Panel: Abe Greenwald (Executive Editor), Christine Rosen (Social Commentary Columnist), Seth Mandel (Senior Editor), Eliana Johnson (Editor, Washington Free Beacon), Ruthie Blum (Columnist, JNS; Host, Israel Undiplomatic; guest, live from Tel Aviv)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast explores the intensifying currents of anti-Zionism and antisemitism in American politics, specifically focusing on recent developments within the Democratic Party. The hosts dissect how prominent Democratic politicians are courting anti-Zionist sentiment and what that means for Jewish political life, U.S.-Israel relations, and broader American society. The conversation is deepened by a firsthand report from Ruthie Blum in Tel Aviv, who shares what daily life under constant threat feels like and how Israeli society is responding to war and political pressures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Politicians Courting Anti-Zionists

(03:05–15:05)

• Seth Mandel details how leading Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidency, notably Ruben Gallego and Gavin Newsom, are shifting toward explicit anti-Zionism.
  • Gallego endorsed Graham Platner (dubbed “Nazi tattoo guy”), a far-left anti-Israel figure, and appeared on antisemitic platforms.
  • Newsom went on “Pod Save America” and, for the first time, publicly referred to Israel as an “apartheid state,” advocated cutting military aid to Israel, and implied Israel’s use of U.S. bombs to attack Iranian schoolgirls (09:08).
  • Newsom’s shift is seen as opportunistic and reflective of shifting party winds, rather than principle.

“Gavin Newsom...decided that he would go on the Pod Save America podcast...where you go and you have to bash Israel...He put his finger to the wind...they said, don’t you think it’s time to cut military aid to Israel? And Newsom essentially said, yes. He said, it breaks my heart.” — Seth Mandel (07:28)

• The panel discusses the transformation and the implications for party politics:
  • Newsom’s flip-flopping: previously pro-Israel, now adopting anti-Zionist rhetoric to appeal to the left (12:51).
  • The consistency of the “AOC/Bernie Sanders wing” vs. cynicism of centrist candidates.

2. The Nature of Political Anti-Zionism & Its Ramifications

(11:14–45:46)

• Christine Rosen and Eliana Johnson discuss how anti-Zionism is no longer dog-whistled but shouted, used as political signaling to Gen Z and the farther left.
• The panel debates whether the anti-Israel turn is driven by conviction or political calculation (12:27–12:51).
• Eliana Johnson notes Newsom’s prior pro-Israel record, highlighting his opportunism and raising questions of authenticity (12:51–14:31).
• The panel explores the risk to American Jewish life and to the Democratic Party itself.

3. Firsthand Report From Israel: War, Resilience, and Unity

Guest Interview: Ruthie Blum, live from Tel Aviv
(15:06–32:00)

• Ruthie Blum describes civilian life during ongoing war and attacks — frequent air raid sirens, time spent in shelters, disrupted sleep, and the new apps built to cope with this reality (18:13–20:13).
• The conversation explores the dark humor, resilience, and unity of Israeli life under siege.
  • Even with deep political fractures, Israelis share near-universal support for the war against Iran and their existential struggle.

“This is what life is like during this three way war between Israel, Iran and, and, and the United States...are you, are you like zoned out? Are you like exhausted? Are you nervous? What?” — Jon Van Horcitz (17:22)

“I think everybody’s sort of used to it. Some people are nervous...But I would say most people are very cheerful here and like Israelis tend to do, they’re all leaving the shelters before the all-clear...There’s a lot of joking going on.” — Ruthie Blum (18:13)

• The country’s unity is contrasted with American polarization. Israelis, despite hating Netanyahu or political rivals, share consensus on Iran being an existential threat and the necessity of war (28:39).

4. American Political Disunity vs. Israeli Cohesion

(32:00–45:46)

• The Israeli experience with existential threats produces a unity Americans cannot fathom.
• The U.S. Jewish experience and fears of rising antisemitism are noted, especially as anti-Zionist rhetoric goes mainstream.
• Ruthie Blum comments on American ignorance and lack of military participation, making solidarity with Israel hard for many to grasp (31:22–32:00).
• The hosts connect these dynamics to American political life — the transformation of anti-Zionism from fringe to central plank among progressives, its impact on party politics, and the dangers for the American Jewish community.

5. The Left and Right: Baked-In Antisemitism and Baseless Blame

(40:58–45:46)

• Christine Rosen highlights the pervasiveness of antisemitism among both left- and right-wing young Americans, deepening concern about the phenomenon becoming bipartisan.
• The panel discusses the danger of using Israel as a scapegoat for unrelated grievances — housing, healthcare, policing (43:34–45:46).
• Seth Mandel references tactics like connecting everyday grievances to Israel, weaponizing anti-Zionism to direct popular discontent against Jews.

“That is the message. If that is getting through to people, then they’re making the connection between I can’t buy a house and I hate the Jews. Like that’s the, blame the Jews for virtually everything. And that’s what Mamdani utilized...you have to be able to explain to people that when the...boot is on your neck, that boot has been laced by the IDF.” — Seth Mandel (43:34)

6. Is Online Anti-Zionism Overblown or Genuine Political Catastrophe?

(45:46–48:39)

• The panel debates whether the apparent dominance of anti-Israel opinions in polls and social media is real or an artifact of online overrepresentation.
• Jon Van Horcitz reflects on decades of warning about the intersectional turn against Jews and Israel, dismayed that “I told you so” is now a lived reality.

“The intersectionality...that idea has two faces...except for the Jews. Jews who...don’t constitute a minority group. They’re part of the oppressor class and the colonial class...We have been sounding the alarm bell about the left and anti-Semitism...for almost two generations. So I could say I told you so, but...I still want to believe that my country is not the country that is going to take this lying down.” — Jon Van Horcitz (45:46)

7. U.S.-Israel Relations: The Paradox of Political Alignments

(50:02–57:28)

• Despite Democratic drift towards anti-Zionism, America’s official partnership with Israel is at an all-time high, particularly on the political right; the ironies are noted repeatedly.
• U.S. Republicans are far more supportive of the Israel war effort than even reported — possibly as high as 80-90% among the MAGA base (55:46).
• The panel underscores the complex and ironic realignment: Democrats, once the “safe” party for Jews, now cultivate anti-Zionist constituencies; Trump-era Republicans, often labeled “Nazis,” are presenting as Israel’s steadfast allies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Newsom's anti-Israel rhetoric:
  “He is saying Israel's an apartheid state. He’s saying we need to revisit our financial commitment to Israel and that Israel is committing war crimes with American bombs. And he is supposedly the establishment candidate for 2020 moderates.” — Jon Van Horcitz (09:08)

• On new Israeli apps for war life:
  “There's an app that tells you where there are singles, single people in which bomb shelters. So singles can hook up in the bomb shelters…another...tells you what the risk is at a given hour of the day to take a shower because the last thing you want is to be caught like with shampoo on your hair and have to rush out…” — Ruthie Blum (19:08)

• On American vs. Israeli unity:
  “Israel is as fractious a country as the United States...And yet imagine a country in which everybody comes together on this one thing. Like we, we can't even imagine that.” — Jon Van Horcitz (26:00)

• On intersectionality and the Democratic turn:
  “That idea...all minority groups are oppressed in the same way...except for the Jews. Jews aren't part of the Jews...they are part of the oppressor class and the colonial class. And that idea birthed...by Jesse Jackson and then academically by Kimberle Crenshaw…We have been sounding the alarm bell...for almost two generations.” — Jon Van Horcitz (45:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:09] — Opening: Newsom and Gallego shift on Israel, endorsement of far-left anti-Israel figures
• [07:28] — Newsom on “Pod Save America” cuts ties with Israel (“apartheid,” cut aid, war crimes with U.S. bombs)
• [11:14] — Discussion: Are these politicians responding to leftist demands or leading public opinion?
• [15:06] — Ruthie Blum joins from Tel Aviv: civilian life, humor, and war apps in shelters
• [18:13] — Ruthie on Israeli resilience and dark humor
• [26:00] — Contrasting near-total Israeli unity with American division
• [32:00] — How antisemitism is gaining cultural and political ground in America
• [43:34] — Discussion of the mechanisms by which anti-Zionism is mainstreamed and weaponized
• [50:02] — Unlikely U.S.-Israel partnership at the summit: Trump and Republicans as mainstays of support
• [55:46] — Polling disconnect: Republican support for the war vs. overall American opinion
• [61:58] — Historical analogy: U.S. foreign policy challenges and lessons from Iraq war and its aftermath

Tone and Style Snapshot

The panel’s tone blends intellectual concern, exasperation, gallows humor, and a resilient defense of liberal and Jewish values. Ruthie’s on-the-ground insights from Israel add immediacy and warmth. There’s both nostalgia — for an earlier era of coherent American politics and consensus — and anxiety for the future. The dialog is frank, brisk, full of asides and passionate debate, but always rooted in a learned and conversational style.

Useful for Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

This summary captures the episode’s full scope:

• Why and how Democrats are courting anti-Zionists
• The risks for Jewish political life in America
• The contrast with Israeli society’s sense of purpose and unity under existential threat
• The ironies and complexities of shifting American political alliances
• The role of online virality in amplifying extreme voices
• The panel’s blend of expertise, grim humor, hope, and worry

If you missed the episode, this summary will bring you fully up to date on the commentary, context, and emotion behind the headlines.