Bari Weiss's 'Charismatic' CBS Pick: Dershowitz, Defender of the Indefensible
Weiss's recommendation for CBS struck a chord, primarily because "charismatic" seems to be a euphemism for "staunch defender of Israeli government actions at all costs." Dershowitz, of course, is a long-standing fixture on such panels, known for vigorously defending policies and figures—including Jeffrey Epstein, a role he now attempts to distance himself from, and former President Donald Trump
during his first impeachment trial. His media appearances often gloss over critical details or dismiss widespread human rights concerns as mere 'propaganda,' echoing rhetoric often used by Israeli officials themselves. One might wonder if CBS is truly hurting for more voices prepared to frame the mass displacement of Palestinians as 'self-defense' or to minimize widespread reports of civilian
casualties. Perhaps the network's audience is clamoring for more intellectual gymnastics to justify the bombing of refugee camps. Or perhaps Weiss's definition of 'charismatic' simply means 'who agrees with me.' As we've seen from outlets consistently booking guests known for their unwavering pro-Israel stances, regardless of the evolving facts on the ground, balance is often sacrificed for a
particular narrative.