MANCHESTER, NH – Peter Beinart, one of the most prominent Jewish critics of Israel in the United States, will speak in Portsmouth on Sunday, April 19, from 7-9 p.m. at 3S Artspace, and in Manchester on Monday, April 20 at 4 p.m. at New Hampshire Institute of Politics. Doors for the Portsmouth event open at 6:30 p.m., and the program will include a Q&A and book signing. Tickets are available online or at the door and are selling quickly. The Manchester event, sponsored by Saint Anselm College, is free and open to the public, with no pre-registration required.
Beinart, editor-at-large of Jewish Currents and a regular contributor to The New York Times and The Atlantic, will discuss his recent book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning, as well as the current situation in the Middle East, including recent attacks in Iran and Lebanon and ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
“We are thrilled to host Beinart,” said Bob Sanders, founder of Not In My Name NH, the main sponsor of his Portsmouth appearance. “As a Jewish scholar and once a strong supporter of Israel, Beinart has come to explain why Israel’s actions are not only immoral, but are hurting the Jewish community throughout the world.”
Not in My Name is a predominantly Jewish group dedicated to non-violence that works through education and advocacy for peace, justice, and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians. They are also dedicated to the proposition that criticism of Israel is not inherently antisemitism.
Co-sponsors of the Portsmouth event include New Hampshire Peace Action Education Fund, Palestine Education Network, NHCUCC Peace with Justice Advocates, Veterans For Peace (NH chapter), American Friends Service Committee, September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, and Karin and Stephen Barndollar. Palestinian arts, crafts, and olive oil will also be available for purchase at the Portsmouth event. There will be light refreshments provided at the Manchester event.