Presented in Partnership with
ARGUING YES
Former Member of Israeli Knesset; Co-author of “The War of Return”
ARGUING NO
Founder and President of J Street
MODERATOR
Host and Moderator-in-Chief
This week:
- New episode: What does a second Trump term mean for U.S.-Israel relations?
- Watch our livestreamed debate on sanctions at the Oslo Freedom Forum on May 26th
- Your Sunday reading list
This week, Open to Debate, in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations, is releasing the first installment of our inaugural foreign policy debate summit: “The Trump Doctrine: A Global Reckoning?” — a three-part series examining how Donald Trump’s foreign policy in his second term is reshaping U.S. relations with Russia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Recorded before a packed audience at the Council’s New York headquarters earlier this month, this debate focuses on the latter region and asks a pressing question: Is Trump Good for Israel? The debaters — Dr. Einat Wilf, a former Israeli Knesset member, and Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street — are both deeply committed to Israel’s future yet offer starkly opposing views on what that future demands.
Wilf contends that Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, withdrawal of U.S. funding from UNRWA, recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokering of the Abraham Accords strengthened Israel’s position, and his support signals a beneficial break from tradition. Ben-Ami argues that Trump is eroding the prospects for a two-state solution, politicizing U.S. support for Israel, and emboldening anti-democratic forces, which could ultimately weaken Israel’s security and democratic character.
And there’s so much more in this hour of important dialogue, which was presided over by our moderator-in-chief John Donvan.
It’s a fierce, but respectful clash over the legacy and return of Trump’s foreign policy in one of America’s most consequential alliances. Listen or watch the debate now and let us know what you think.
More soon,
Lia Matthow
Chief Content Officer
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Is Trump Good for Israel?
YES: Einat Wilf
“It’s not a coincidence that Trump ended [his] four-year term with four peace and normalization agreements between Arab and Muslim countries in Israel, and there was momentum for more. The Biden administration, as soon as it came in, in an act that I believe was juvenile foreign policy, distanced itself from this clear success… basically killing the momentum.”
NO: Jeremy Ben-Ami
“If you green light Israel’s claim to all of Jerusalem, to the West Bank and to Gaza and eliminate the idea, the chance of a sovereign state for the Palestinians, then Israel cannot remain a democracy and provide all of its people with equal rights and remain a state of the Jewish people, and that is bad for Israel. Bipartisanship has always been a key to American support for Israel. Donald Trump consistently politicizes support for Israel.”
Tomorrow! Tune in to Our Global Policy Debate, Live from Oslo
Open to Debate has partnered with the Human Rights Foundation to present a live debate at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum: Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool? View the livestream this Monday, May 26th at 9 AM ET by clicking here.
Arguing YES: Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López and partner at BakerHostetler LLP Artie McConnell
Arguing NO: Chatham House senior fellow for Latin America Christopher Sabatini and former US diplomat Elizabeth Shackelford
Moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist John Donvan.
WEEKLY POINTS OF VIEW
A US recession doesn’t seem so likely any more
Michael Strain | May 16, 2025
Financial Times
Watch Michael’s debate on whether the American Dream is in decline
Given up on reading? Elif Shafak on why we still need novels
Elif Shafak | May 11, 2025
The Guardian
Watch Elif’s debate on whether nationalism is a force for good
Will AI kill our freedom to think?
Brendan McCord, Greg Lukianoff, and Philipp Koralus | May 16, 2025
Reason
Watch Greg’s debate on whether liberals are stifling intellectual diversity on campuses
Don’t be fooled. This is the calm before the AI storm.
Megan McArdle | May 15, 2025
The Washington Post
Watch Megan’s debate on whether Obamacare is beyond rescue
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