The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table Has the War in Israel Become a War on Jews? | Bret Stephens, Coleman Hughes & Michael Moynihan
14 snips
Oct 9, 2025 
Join Bret Stephens, a New York Times columnist focused on Israel, Coleman Hughes from The Free Press discussing campus activism, and journalist Michael Moynihan as they dissect the complex fallout from the Hamas war against Israel. They explore how sympathy for Israel turned into hostility towards Jews almost overnight. Discussions include the rise of anti-Semitism post-October 7, the dynamics of campus politics, and the challenges posed by extremist rhetoric in current media narratives. A captivating dive into the intersection of politics, history, and societal implications.
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Feeling Unease Around Open Jewish Identity
- Michael Moynihan recounts sitting near four Israelis in Soho and feeling worry for them.
- He contrasts that with never feeling anxious when hearing Arabic in public.
Good-Faith Anti-Semitism Is Powerful
- Bret Stephens distinguishes two anti-Semitism types: bad-faith bigots and well-meaning activists who echo old libels.
- He argues many critics unknowingly traffic in classic anti-Jewish tropes due to intellectual gaps.
Ethiopian Jewish Visit Shapes Perspective
- Bret Stephens describes praying with Ethiopian Jews and visiting Addis Ababa's cemetery as deeply moving.
- He uses the memory to highlight Israel's diverse, non‑European Jewish populations.
