Podcast / The Time of Monsters / Jul 8, 2024

Why Biden Continues Supporting Israel’s Onslaught in Gaza

On this episode of The Time of Monsters, Jeet Heer’s controversial speech at the Regina Public Library.

President Joe Biden joined Israel's prime minister for the start of the Israeli war cabinet meeting, in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023.

President Joe Biden joined Israel’s prime minister for the start of the Israeli war cabinet meeting, in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023.

(Miriam Alster / AFP via Getty Images)

On June 28, I delivered a speech at the central branch of the Regina Public Library on the history of American support for Israel. The speech almost didn’t happen. The library briefly canceled it, claiming that the group promoting it was encouraging discrimination against Jews. Fortunately, a city councillor intervened to sponsor the talk. For this podcast, I give the gist of my talk. 

Note: The podcast will be going on a hiatus for the summer and will return in a few weeks.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

A Year in Reading | Reading Writers
byThe Nation Magazine

In this host-only bonus episode, Charlotte and Jo discuss some of their most memorable reads of 2025. Authors discussed include Shon Faye, Sarah Schulman, Ai Yazawa, Marjane Satrapi, Ariana Reines, Kyung-Ran Jo, and more.

Please consider supporting us on Patreon, where you can access additional materials and send us your guest (and book!) coverage requests. Questions and kind comments can be directed to readingwriterspod at gmail dot com. 

Charlotte Shane’s most recent book is An Honest Woman. Her essay newsletter, Meant For You, can be subscribed to or read online for free. Her social media handle is @charoshane.  

Jo Livingstone is a writer who teaches at Pratt Institute. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Jeet Heer

Jeet Heer is a national affairs correspondent for The Nation and host of the weekly Nation podcast, The Time of Monsters. He also pens the monthly column “Morbid Symptoms.” The author of In Love with Art: Francoise Mouly’s Adventures in Comics with Art Spiegelman (2013) and Sweet Lechery: Reviews, Essays and Profiles (2014), Heer has written for numerous publications, including The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, The American Prospect, The GuardianThe New Republic, and The Boston Globe.

More from The Nation

Donald Trump departs after speaking during a House Republican retreat at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on January 6, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Venezuela in American Politics—Plus, VA Housing for Homeless Vets Venezuela in American Politics—Plus, VA Housing for Homeless Vets

On Start Making Sense: John Nichols on the lack of support for Trump’s attack on Venezuela, and Mark Rosenbaum on the court victory that should end homelessness for disabled vets....

Jon Wiener

People participate in a “No Kings” national day of protest in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 18, 2025.

A Year of Resistance—in the Streets, in Elections, and in the Courts A Year of Resistance—in the Streets, in Elections, and in the Courts

On Start Making Sense: Harold Meyerson and David Cole review the year 2025, when a remarkable resistance movement challenged an unprecedented attack on democracy.

Jon Wiener

LAPD officers and National Guard soldiers stand outside a downtown LA jail in June 2025.

How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas

On Start Making Sense: Bill Gallegos on the withdrawal of the National Guard and marines from LA last summer, and Sean Wilentz on Dylan’s choice of songs for his Christmas album.

Jon Wiener

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

On The Time of Monsters: David Klion and Ronnie Grinberg on a founding father of neo-conservatism.

Jeet Heer

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

On Start Making Sense: Katha Pollitt talks about why none of Epstein’s friends cared about his victims, and Natan Last reveals the hidden politics of the crossword puzzle.

Jon Wiener

Trump’s Global Culture War

Trump’s Global Culture War Trump’s Global Culture War

On The Time of Monsters: Stephen Wertheim on the government's new National Security Strategy.

Jeet Heer

x