Peter Beinart, Jewish-American Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the CUNY Newmark School of Journalism, who works as a columnist, political commentator, journalist, and editor-at-large of Jewish Currents. Beinart has authored several books, including The Crisis of Zionism, published in 2012. In the book, he shares his evolving views in the Israel-Palestine conflict and his “dream of a democratic Jewish state.”
Born to a Sephardic Jewish family, Beinart has visited Israel throughout his life. He learned about Jewish history and values through his grandmother. As a youth, he was taught that Israel was a “a safe haven for the Jewish community” that sought security and a right to existence.
During this time, Beinart identified as a “liberal Zionist,” meaning he believed that Jews have the right to their own nation-state. Liberal Zionists argue that the Jewish nation should be one that grants equal rights for all, regardless of religion, gender, sexuality, and race.
Is a Two-State Solution Possible?
Beinart has previously stated that “the dream of a two-state solution would give Palestinians a country of their own…I could remain a liberal and a supporter of Jewish statehood at the same time.”
However, after trips to the West Bank in his thirties, Beinart’s opinion began to shift. He did not see the seizing of Palestinians homes and the treatment of Palestinians as second-class citizens to be compatible with his views on democracy. Since then, he’s argued that the only way to “keep the two-state solution alive” is by “opposing Israeli settlement growth” in the West Bank.
Beyond ceasing settlements, Beinart thinks the solution to lasting peace for Jews in Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank lies in the hands of the law. He has said that granting Palestinian people “equal rights under the law” would “create a horizon for Palestinian freedom.” This would mean having Palestinian voices represented in government and create an “ultimately more peaceful” society for both Jewish and Palestinian people.
Advocating for Palestinian Rights
In his journalism, Beinart sheds light on the struggles of Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He often discusses the history the Israel-Palestine conflict, including the Nakba of 1948 and the Six-Day War in 1967.
In an interview with Ezra Klein, Beinart explains that most Palestinian people in Gaza are not from Gaza originally but live there as refugees. He states, “they are the children, grandchildren, and some are original refugees who were forced from what is now Israel.” In many cases, these families have been internally displaced for decades.
In 2018, Beinart spoke on the Palestine “March of Return,” when Palestinian citizens peacefully opposed the blockade of the Gaza strip. His aim is to help Israelis and Jews understand “why thousands of Palestinians are risking their lives” with this protest. Beinart claims that Israeli Jews have that have been “fanned by a government that has dehumanized Palestinians” for decades. This is why it is harder for Israelis to see Palestinian people as “ordinary people who have ordinary human desires.”
In 2024, Beinart spoke with Professor Rebecca Stein at Duke’s Center for Jewish Studies about the future of Israel-Palestine relations. He said that “eighty percent of the people in Gaza are the families of refugees from people who were expelled or fled in fear during Israel’s creation,” in this lecture at Duke University.
Jews Calling for Justice
Beinart has also worked with other Jews, Israelis, and organizations to advocate for peace in Israel and Palestine. In 2016, Beinart joined dozens of Jewish-American citizens for a demonstration and protest in the West Bank. The activists staged a sit-in at the home of a Palestinian family being forcibly removed from their home to make room for settlements.
When Israeli forces arrived with a military order demanding the peaceful Jewish protesters leave the Palestinian home, the activists refused to depart. Six of the activists were eventually detained by Israeli forces.
Beinart described the activists as coming from “the bosom of the Jewish community,” with many having “deep Jewish ties.” He said some as belonging to Jewish advocacy groups including the New Israel Fund, J Street, If Not Now, and Jewish Voice for Peace. A few of these organizations support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and hold their own sit-ins.
Beinart is also inspired by the work of a Jewish-Israeli group called Standing Together, led by Sally Abed and Alon-Lee Green. He agrees with their vision of “Israeli Jews and Palestinians standing together for mutual safety, mutual equality and coexistence.” Despite his peaceful message, Beinart has been questioned for his advocacy.
Peter Beinart Punished for His Activism
In 2018, Beinart was detained by Israeli forces for his political views. While visiting Israel to attend his niece’s bat mitzvah, Beinart was held by airport security and questioned for nearly an hour. He posted on X about the incident, stating, “I was detained yesterday at Ben Gurion airport and interrogated about my political associations.”
Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement that Israel was an “open society” that welcome “critics and supporters alike,” calling the incident an “administrative mistake.” Beinart responded to the official statement, calling Netanyahu’s explanation a half-apology.
He added commentary that “Palestinians and Palestinian-Americans” often “endure far worse” under Israeli occupation. Beinart has continued to write and speak about his opposition to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Palestine 2009. Israel’s Wall in Bethlehem, West Bank.
Jewish Evolving Views: Equality for All
Allan C. Brownfeld wrote a piece for the Washington Report on Beinart’s early advocacy for a two-state solution. He also discussed Beinart’s changing views and how they were shaped by his activism and visits to the West Bank. Beinart blames the occupation of the West Bank and the “640,000 Jewish settlers live in East Jerusalem and the West Bank” as a part of his disillusionment with the two-state solution.
Beinart explained his shift in perspective:
“Israel has all but made its decision: one country that includes millions of Palestinians who lack basic rights. Now liberal Zionists must make our decision, too. It’s time to abandon the traditional two-state solution and embrace the goal of equal rights for Jews and Palestinians. It’s time to imagine a Jewish home that is not a Jewish state. Equality could come in the form of one state, that includes Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem or it could be a confederation that allows free movement between two deeply integrated countries.”
He believes true peace for Jews in Israel will come from granting equal rights to Palestinian people. Beinart cites that “between one-fifth and one-third of American Jews support legal equality between Jews and Palestinians in one state.” With Jewish and Palestinian people living equally under one-state, peace could be possible for all.
Ending Trauma, Calling for Peace
Beinart acknowledges that there is a “profound collective trauma” in both Jewish and Palestinian histories. Speaking on the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, Beinart expressed concern “about the fact that this [trauma] is happening again” to the Palestinian community.
Beinart emphasizes that violence against Palestinian people is also “not a good trajectory to be on for the safety of Israelis.” He believes that more war will not bring peace for Israeli or Palestinian people, but only more pain.
As a guest on The Brian Lehrer Show, Beinart shared his “Jewish hope for Palestinian liberation.” Instead, he insists that “we desperately need models of what’s possible now for people not to lose all hope.” He refers to some “small scale efforts” in Israel that he finds “deeply moving.”
One example includes “organizations of Israeli Jews and Palestinians who have lost loved ones” that gather “bereaved parents” in circles for peace. He explains how these mourning families “come together across the divide based on the principle that they don’t want any family, Jewish or Palestinian, to go through what they go through.”
Beinart’s message is that unity can be achieved by ending war and trauma. This approach can bring lasting peace, with equality between Israeli and Palestinian people.
To learn more about building peace in Israel and Palestine and how you can get involved,
visit The Promised Land Museum and consider hosting an exhibit.
