The KKK vs. Antizionism and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (Dem, NJ-5)
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Jonah Platt
4.9 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 21 April 2026
⏱️ 58 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this timely episode, host Jonah Platt sits down with Josh Gottheimer, the five-term U.S. Congressman serving New Jersey’s Fifth District. Josh is a leading pro-Israel voice in the Democratic Party and Vice-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus (which he co-founded). In Congress, Josh serves on two Committees, including the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Ranking Member of the National Security Agency and Cyber Subcommittee and is a member of the Defense Intelligence and Overhead Architecture Subcommittee. Gottheimer shares candid insights on navigating politics while being Jewish. He discusses U.S. action against Iran, arguing Iran is a major threat but criticizing the administration for shifting objectives and failing to clearly explain goals, which fuels public skepticism and risks a drawn-out conflict affecting oil prices, markets, and regional stability. He rejects conditioning aid to Israel as unfairly targeting a key democratic ally and condemns the use of “apartheid” rhetoric. He describes a major rise in antisemitism, political incentives pushing members of Congress to retreat from support for Israel, and calls for coordinated Jewish-community investment in K–12 and campus education, accountability for institutions, and tougher political engagement.
Plus, Jonah answers a podcast fan’s question on how to make anti-zionism taboo.
Topics discussed include:
- The shifting center of the left and the right
- The role of the Problem Solvers Caucus in bipartisan cooperation in Congress
- Why the U.S.-Israel relationship is vital to American national security
- Gottheimer’s work on the House Intelligence Committee and focus on Iran and Gaza
- Criticism of Gavin Newsom for using the term “apartheid” regarding Israel
- The influence of social media figures like Hasan Piker and political figures like Donald Trump on polarization
- Addressing antisemitic rhetoric tied to movements like BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions)
- Concerns about antisemitism and activism on college campuses like the University of Pennsylvania
- Holding elected officials accountable at the local, state, and federal levels for antisemitism
- The importance of strategic philanthropy and community coordination within the American Jewish community
A special thanks to our partner this week Hadassah.org
Mentioned in the episode:
The Transformation of the KKK from Fraternity to Religious Extremists.
1924 Democratic National Conventions - “Klanbake”
DNC Avoids Taking a Stance on Israel, AIPAC
The Growing Antisemitism Among Young Americans
Vanderbilt Professor Shaul Kelner
The Timeline of the SPLC Case That Bankrupted the Klan
Klan Members Murder Conviction Leads to Decline in Membership and Political Influence
Rep. Josh Gottheimer: The New Jersey Democrat defending Israel, battling antisemitism
National Security Agency & Cyber Subcommittee
Gottheimer Votes to Pass War Powers Resolution
By the numbers: US thrashed military targets in Iran, but some capabilities remain
Iranian attack on Saudi base injures U.S. troops as more American forces arrive in the Middle East
How the US Navy could blockade Iran’s ports and sweep mines from the Strait of Hormuz
Israel didn’t drag the US into war with Iran — they enabled us to fight it smarter and faster
U.S. Capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro: Considerations for Congress
Oil prices rise on doubts US-Iran peace talks will ease Hormuz disruption
The Abraham Accords, Explained
Gottheimer Statement in Opposition to Conditioning Aid to Israel
Sharia-Free America: Why Political Islam & Sharia Law Are Incompatible with the U.S. Constitution
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: 'Queers for Palestine' shows how stupid our society is
Gottheimer, Foxx Introduce Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Anti-Israel, BDS Activity
Gottheimer calls Newsom’s Israel apartheid comments ‘dangerous’
Genocide, apartheid? A poll Israel cannot allow itself to ignore
“The Squad” Doubles Down on Anti-Israel Comments
Representative Elaine G. Luria
Hasan Piker doubles down on Hamas support
UPenn must comply with federal subpoena seeking list of Jewish community members, judge rules
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | If you've ever taken the time to check out our website, BingJewishpodcast.com, you'll notice there's a page for contact. |
| 0:10.3 | And on that page is an orange button that allows you to record a voicemail that my team and I will hear. |
| 0:15.6 | A few of you have taken advantage of this before. |
| 0:17.8 | Hi, Jonah. I'm from Sydney, Australia. I think you're doing such amazing work. |
| 0:23.1 | I built the monument to the 45th and 47th president of the United States, Donald John Trump. |
| 0:27.1 | Hi, Jonah. And being Jewish podcast, folks. Love it. Recently, we received one I thought was worth sharing with y'all in its entirety. |
| 0:41.3 | Take a listen. |
| 0:42.3 | Hey Jonah. My name is Arias Levin. |
| 0:44.3 | I'm a huge fan of how you're navigating the front lines of Jewish identity right now. |
| 0:48.3 | I'm reaching out because I believe we're at a point where we have to stop just reacting to hatred |
| 0:53.3 | and start holding the line by restoring social consequences that once protected our community. |
| 0:59.6 | I talk a lot about the KKK precedent, the fact that we didn't just defeat the clan through the law. |
| 1:05.5 | We defeated them by making their movement socially radioactive. |
| 1:09.2 | We made it so that being a bigot costs you your standing in |
| 1:11.9 | your church, your job, and your neighborhood. My question to you is, how do we restore this concept? |
| 1:18.5 | How do we make this hatred taboo and ensure that everyone rejects these taboo views and the people |
| 1:23.9 | who violate them out of polite society? It's a great question, Eris, and thank you for it. |
| 1:29.7 | I'm now going to do my best to answer it. |
| 1:32.7 | First, it's important to be clear. |
| 1:34.7 | The KKK is not a direct parallel to today's anti-Zionist movement, |
| 1:38.4 | and this monologue is not me suggesting that they are the same. |
| 1:42.2 | However, as hate movements operating within social norms, |
... |
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