Episode 138: Dr. Thane Rosenbaum "Beyond Proportionality"

Episode 138: Dr. Thane Rosenbaum "Beyond Proportionality"

From JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition by Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today

April 27, 2026 · 1h 16m · Season 1 · Episode 138

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with Thane Rosenbaum about his book critiquing the application of proportionality in international law regarding Israel's actions in Gaza.

In this episode, we speak with Professor Thane Rosenbaum about his book Beyond Proportionality: Israel’s Just War in Gaza, a sharp critique of how international law, media narratives, and moral language are applied to Israel in times of war. Rosenbaum argues that the concept of “proportionality” is often misunderstood and selectively enforced, creating a double standard that places unique constraints on Israel while obscuring the realities of terrorism and asymmetric warfare. We discuss his experience publishing and promoting the book in today’s climate, and how it intersects with rising anti-Zionist sentiment in the West. He explains why anti-Jewish propaganda and pro-Palestinian activism have been so effective, unpacks the legal and ethical challenges surrounding proportionality in armed conflict, and offers his perspective on how antisemitism should be confronted today. The conversation also explores what the future may hold for Jewish life in the United States. (A special thank you goes out to our friend David Shahverdi for making the introduction.) ___ • Bio: Thane Rosenbaum is a law professor, legal and Middle East analyst, novelist, essayist, talk show host, and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Ben Koren, Benzi Siouni

Guest: Thane Rosenbaum

Topics covered

  • international law
  • media narratives
  • moral language
  • proportionality
  • antisemitism
  • Jewish life in the United States

Keywords

  • proportionality
  • Israel
  • Gaza
  • anti-Zionism
  • terrorism
  • asymmetric warfare
  • antisemitism
  • media
  • law

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Touro University

Books & works: Beyond Proportionality: Israel’s Just War in Gaza

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