The New York Public Library hosted an event on September 22 featuring Benjamin Moser, a Jewish author known for his critical views on Israel. During the discussion at the library’s main branch on 42nd Street, Moser compared the Jewish state to a "dog shelter," arguing that many American Jews who lack deep ties to Israel perceive the country in a similar way—as a place requiring support rather than robust engagement.

Moser, a Pulitzer Prize winner for his biography of Susan Sontag, challenged the narrative promoted by Israel supporters that America has become unsafe for Jews. He described this perspective as a “’poor me’ thing,” characterizing complaints from some American Jews as exaggerated. Referring to social media comparisons, he criticized analogies equating everyday inconveniences in the United States to the atrocities of the Holocaust, specifically mentioning Treblinka.

The event also featured Rashid Khalidi, a retired history professor from Columbia University, who joined Moser in harshly criticizing Zionists. Both speakers accused Zionist advocates of seeking to suppress dissent regarding Israeli government policies, with particular reference to actions in Gaza, which they described as “genocide.”

The library’s decision to host this event drew criticism from some quarters. Opponents raised concerns about providing a platform for what they characterized as anti-Israel rhetoric. In response, a spokesperson for the New York Public Library emphasized the institution’s commitment to facilitating a wide range of viewpoints. The library reportedly holds over 100,000 events annually featuring speakers from diverse ideological backgrounds, including those representing both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian perspectives.

The event highlights ongoing tensions within segments of the American Jewish community and wider public discourse over Israel’s policies and the boundaries of acceptable debate regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.