#1 - Fear & Loathing in the New Jerusalem, pt. 1

This episode explores the early history of Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beginning with a graphic depiction of a pogrom to emphasize the brutal realities faced by Jewish people in Europe and Russia. Against this backdrop of pervasive anti-Semitism and violence, the rise of Zionism as a radical nationalist movement is examined, highlighting its competition with other revolutionary ideologies like Bolshevism and anarchism. More significantly, the episode analyzes the contrasting perspectives of political and practical Zionists, with the former focusing on securing international recognition for a Jewish state and the latter prioritizing organic community building in Palestine. For instance, the episode details the Balfour Declaration's ambiguous wording and the conflicting promises made by Britain to both Zionists and Arabs, setting the stage for future conflict. The episode concludes by emphasizing the complex interplay of religious mythology, political maneuvering, and the creation of a shared Jewish identity in shaping the early Zionist project and laying the groundwork for the enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict.