Princeton Professor Explores PLO Intellectuals’ Stance on Antisemitism at Yale Lecture

Hartford & New Haven, CT, September 24, 2026 —

Princeton University professor Jonathan Gribetz delivered a lecture at Yale University in New Haven, delving into historical perspectives from his book, “Reading Herzl in Beirut/The PLO Effort to Know the Enemy.” The presentation focused on intellectual currents within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) during the 1970s, specifically examining how some figures within the PLO Research Center approached complex political and ideological distinctions.

According to Professor Gribetz, a notable aspect of his research highlights instances where intellectuals associated with the PLO Research Center actively countered and rejected antisemitic tropes. These scholars, Gribetz explained, sought to differentiate between anti-Zionism, a political opposition to Zionism, and antisemitism, which is prejudice, hatred, or discrimination against Jews. This distinction, he suggested, could offer a potential historical foundation for fostering hope in the context of Israeli-Palestinian relations.

The lecture explored the significance of such intellectual efforts in understanding historical dialogues and the potential for nuanced perspectives, even amidst conflict. Professor Gribetz’s book draws on historical documents and analyses to illuminate these specific intellectual debates that took place within the PLO during that era.

The specific date of the lecture was not provided. Further details regarding the names of the specific intellectuals Gribetz discussed or particular examples of antisemitic tropes that were rejected were not elaborated upon in the provided summary. The lecture aimed to provide historical context on how certain Palestinian intellectual circles engaged with and critically examined the issue of antisemitism.

Story summarized from the original created by Allan Appel on www.newhavenindependent.org, see more information here.

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