The Peg-and-Hole Problem

What’s the secret behind the Jewish community’s endurance? Unravelling this question became the focus on TheJewFunction podcast #72, with hosts Lio and Seth, and guest Matthew RJ Brodsky, a foreign policy expert specializing in the Middle East. Together they explored the continual isolation of Israel, the rise of antisemitic sentiments across the globe, and the deeper meaning behind it all.

Brodsky brings an insightful and grounded perspective, having advised both policymakers and the previous US administration on matters related to Israel and the region. This nuanced conversation covers historical lessons, modern geopolitics, and what the future holds for Jews living in Israel and the diaspora.

The Peg-and-Hole Problem

An important theme in this conversation is understanding how Jews fit into global society. Seth starts with an analogy, likening the Jewish people to “a round peg trying to fit into a square hole.” The peg represents the Jewish people’s place in the world, and the hole is society, which often seems mismatched with Jewish values and traditions. The challenge isn’t just about making the Jewish people fit, it’s about arranging themselves in a way that brings unity internally and impacts global harmony.

Matthew Brodsky agrees with the approach but emphasizes that this arrangement doesn’t happen without intention. “The world respects strength,” he explains, adding that internal unity among Jews in Israel and the diaspora is key to projecting that strength to the outside world.

Facing Isolation

Israel’s current geopolitical challenges, facing isolation even from traditional allies, play a significant part in the discussion. Brodsky points out a troubling shift in US policy, where for the first time, America didn’t veto a United Nations Security Council decision targeting Israel. Seth, clearly disturbed by this, brings up how global magazines are now talking about “Israel Alone.”

Brodsky elaborates more on Israel’s growing isolation:

“For me, it’s about these inner splits. When we are together, we feel strong. When we split apart, that’s when isolation creeps in.”

It’s the internal division combined with external threats that has many people concerned about the future of the Jewish state. And it’s not just about politics, it’s about unity.

Unity or Division?

One of the central takeaways from the talk is the idea that unity within the Jewish community, especially in Israel, could be the key to survival. Brodsky stresses that when Jews are divided, whether by politics, ideology, or geography, it only plays into the hands of their opponents. Drawing from his experience observing foreign policy shifts, he explains:

“When we’re together, it’s impossible to feel alone, even when the whole world feels like it’s against us. Division among us amplifies that feeling of isolation.”

This is echoed by Seth, who believes that the Jewish people’s strength comes from their ability to “fight but then embrace.” It’s the tension between argument and reconciliation that has preserved Jewish culture and wisdom through the generations.

Geopolitics and The Abraham Accords

Talking about division naturally leads to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Brodsky’s depth of expertise is critical here as he describes the shift from the era of comprehensive peace agreements, where many believed peace between Israel and the Palestinians was the gateway to diplomacy across the Middle East, to a new model symbolized by the Abraham Accords during the Trump administration.

These accords turned the traditional playbook upside down. Suddenly, Arab countries like the UAE and Bahrain were normalizing relations with Israel, not waiting for Palestinian peace. Brodsky emphasizes that this approach was a major shift in how the region perceived its relationships with Israel:

“The Abraham Accords were a recognition by these countries that they were no longer going to allow the Palestinian issue to drive their national interest. They said, ‘We have bigger problems than waiting on Palestine.’”

This recalibration of priorities by Arab states also reflected a broader understanding of Iran’s role as a destabilizing force in the region, and why alliances with Israel became more appealing.

The Woke Shift in US Policy

Another major topic is how the rise of progressive liberalism and “woke” ideology in the West has influenced American foreign policy. Brodsky doesn’t mince words when he points out the consequences of this mindset. Under the Obama administration, there was a clear shift from supporting traditional allies like Israel to engaging with Iran, believing that balance could be achieved by including adversaries.

“There is this idea of balancing, of punishing allies and rewarding enemies, which just doesn’t work. The thinking is fundamentally flawed.”

Brodsky believes that these shifts have led to a confusing and often contradictory US foreign policy stance, leaving many long-time allies like Israel feeling isolated. But more than geopolitics, Brodsky argues that Jewish and Israeli unity is essential, especially when America’s foreign policy seems uncertain.

The Rise of Antisemitism

The conversation soon turns to the increasing visibility of antisemitism across the world, particularly in Western societies. The disturbing rise in rhetoric, particularly from progressive circles, doesn’t surprise Brodsky, who connects the problem to broader social trends in America and Europe.

He points out that terms like “colonialist” and “genocide,” previously reserved for truly heinous acts, are being weaponized against Jews in Israel.

Lio expresses frustration at the misrepresentation:

“People say Israel controls the US, but look at the Iran deal we tried to stop. We couldn’t even prevent that!”

It’s this kind of paradox that has many Jewish voices questioning their standing not only in foreign policy but within their own nations. The “woke” labeling of Jews as “white colonialists” undermines the reality of Jewish history. Brodsky adds:

“We’re being treated as the oppressors. But in what world is Israel a colonial power?”

A Look Toward the Future

The conversation climaxes as Lio and Seth turn to the future, asking Brodsky where he sees Jews in Israel and across the diaspora in the coming years. He gives a sobering prediction:

“I think Israel will survive this,” he says, referring to current challenges, “but it will only survive if it maintains its strength. We have to be the strong horse.”

In the US, on the other hand, Brodsky is less optimistic. He doesn’t believe the Golden Age of Jews in America will last much longer, pointing to recent sharp increases in both far-right and far-left antisemitic sentiments.

“We’ve had a good run, but Jews have always been the first to be kicked out when societies break down. That’s just the way it goes.”

For both Israel and the diaspora, Brodsky believes that maintaining a sense of unity is crucial. Division weakens the community and invites further threats, both from within and without.

Conclusion: Choosing Unity Over Division

What becomes clear from this compelling discussion is that unity isn’t an abstract concept for survival; it’s a matter of existential importance. Whether facing the rise of antisemitism, the isolation of Israel, or the increasing political fragmentation globally, staying united as a people is what ties everything together.

The hosts and Brodsky agree that for the Jewish people to flourish — whether in the diaspora or in Israel — they must embrace their heritage, stand strong, and resist internal division. As Brodsky emphasized time and again, strength comes from within and when Jews show that resolute unity, it affects how the world views them.

It’s a simple message, but a powerful one. In the face of fractured global politics, Jews must continue speaking out, questioning the world around them, and most importantly, sticking together.