From Far-left US Jewish writer Beinart apologizes for speaking to Israelis in Tel Aviv
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The far-left US Jewish writer Peter Beinart says he made a “serious mistake” talking to Israelis in Tel Aviv this week.
Beinart, one of Israel’s most vocal Jewish opponents, drew heavy fire from anti-Zionist activists after he participated in a talk at Tel Aviv University this week.
Beinart is a supporter of the boycott movement against Israel and was criticized for violating that boycott. He had said the speech was an opportunity to communicate his views to Israelis.
“I wanted to say certain things to an Israeli audience. Speaking at Tel Aviv University seemed to offer that chance,” Beinart says on X. “I let my desire for that conversation override my solidarity with Palestinians.”
“It’s embarrassing to admit such a serious mistake,” he says. “I dearly wish I had not made this one, which has caused particular harm because international pressure is crucial to ensuring Palestinian freedom. This was a failure of judgment. I am sorry.”
His apology draws further criticism from prominent anti-Zionist activists.
Nerdeen Kiswani, a leading anti-Zionist activist in New York City, says, “Peter consistently disrespects communities he claims to support, particularly Palestinians, and then apologizes for it.”
It was indeed a serious mistake and one @PeterBeinart really has no excuse for. He has been engaging in debate about the BDS movement for more than a decade and he knows all the arguments and he has heard from Palestinians for years and up to the moment of his visit to the… https://t.co/RnXXUUvpjV
— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) November 26, 2025
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