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Philip Weiss
Philip Weiss
from Wikipedia

Philip Weiss is an American journalist who co-edits Mondoweiss ("a news website devoted to covering American foreign policy in the Middle East, chiefly from a progressive Jewish perspective")[2] with journalist Adam Horowitz.[2][3] Weiss describes himself as an anti-Zionist and rejects the label "post-Zionist."[4]

Key Information

Career

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Weiss is the author of the novel Cock-a-doodle-doo (1996)[5] and the non-fiction book American Taboo: A Murder In The Peace Corps (2004).[6] He co-edited The Goldstone Report: The Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict (2011) with Adam Horowitz and Lizzy Ratner.[7]

Other writing

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Weiss has written for Spy,[8] New York,[9] Harper's Magazine,[10] Esquire, and The New York Observer.[11][12]

In 2006, he began writing a daily blog called Mondoweiss for The New York Observer website which began to focus only on "Jewish issues" like "the Iraq disaster and my Jewishness, Zionism, neo-conservatism, Israel, Palestine." In the spring of 2007, he began Mondoweiss as an unaffiliated blog.[13][14]

The Goldstone Report

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Weiss and Horowitz, along with Lizzy Ratner, co-edited the 2011 book The Goldstone Report: The Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict.[15] Publishers Weekly's review noted that the abridged version of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict ("the Goldstone Report") included an introduction by Naomi Klein and an "eloquent" foreword by Bishop Desmond Tutu. The review said the book was "enhanced" by oral testimonies that "inject a harrowing human element to counterbalance the report's dispassionate tone" and called the book an "essential read for those concerned with accurate documentation of historical events and nations' accountability for their treatment of civilians living in war zones".[16] Kirkus Reviews called the book an "eye-opening document and an urgent call for accountability".[17]

In a Democracy Now! interview, Horowitz discussed Richard Goldstone's later correction of one item in his report, his saying "Civilians were not intentionally targeted [by Israel] as a matter of policy." Horowitz said that he viewed this as a minor issue and "[m]uch larger was the issue of intentionally attacking the civilian infrastructure of Gaza, which he doesn't mention, and the idea of just disproportionate and indiscriminate violence, which he doesn't address and which affects civilians disproportionately."[18][19]

Books

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  • 1996: Cock-a-doodle-doo[20]
  • 2004: American Taboo: A Murder In The Peace Corps[21][22]
  • 2011: The Goldstone Report: The Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict, by Adam Horowitz, Lizzy Ratner, Philip Weiss, Naomi Klein, et al.[23]

References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Philip Weiss (born 1955) is an American journalist of Jewish descent best known as the founder and senior editor of , an independent online news website established in 2006 that focuses on U.S. in the , particularly the Israel-Palestine conflict, Palestinian , and critiques of . A graduate of , Weiss began his career as a crime reporter in and contributor to alternative weeklies before writing for mainstream publications such as , , and Harper's. Raised in a secular Jewish family, he shifted his reporting toward the after the , launching initially as a within The New York Observer to provide analysis often absent from establishment media, emphasizing nonviolent advocacy for equal rights in historic over Zionist frameworks. Under his leadership, the site has expanded to include a team of contributors and full-time staff, gaining prominence among progressive audiences for on-the-ground reporting from Gaza and the while facing accusations from pro-Israel advocates of disseminating antisemitic content and one-sided narratives that echo historical tropes about Jewish influence.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Philip Weiss was born in , , in 1955 to an academic family. His father served as a of at , reflecting the family's emphasis on scholarly pursuits. Weiss was raised in , , where he grew up in a Jewish household characterized by intellectual engagement rather than religious observance. He has described his early as that of a "Christmas tree Jew," a term denoting a culturally assimilated, secular form of with minimal ritual practice. His mother, a graduate of , demonstrated political awareness during his upbringing, though Weiss has noted she was not primarily an intellectual figure. The family later resided in the area, and Weiss lived in the same household as his maternal grandparents. This environment fostered an ethical and cultural orientation rooted in Jewish traditions but oriented toward American intellectual life.

Academic Career

Philip Weiss earned a from . No public records indicate that he pursued graduate studies or held academic positions following his . Instead, Weiss transitioned directly into journalism, beginning with reporting for small alternative weekly newspapers in and .

Journalistic Career

Initial Positions and Reporting

Philip Weiss began his journalistic career contributing articles to prominent magazines, including serving as a contributing writer for and as a contributing editor for , , and . These roles positioned him within mainstream American journalism, where he produced investigative and feature pieces on cultural, political, and literary subjects. Early reporting by Weiss encompassed diverse topics, often blending personal narrative with broader societal critique. In a January 1993 Esquire article titled "The Martyr," he examined Salman Rushdie's ongoing fatwa ordeal on the eve of the fourth anniversary of his death sentence, highlighting Rushdie's public appeals for sympathy amid escalating desperation. His contributions to Harper's and New York Magazine similarly focused on investigative angles into media, urban life, and public figures, reflecting a style attuned to elite New York circles and intellectual debates. No, wait, no Wiki. By the early 2000s, Weiss had become a regular columnist at , then edited by Peter Kaplan, where his reporting increasingly touched on political events such as the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. These pieces maintained a focus on domestic media dynamics and policy implications rather than specialization, establishing his reputation in progressive journalistic outlets before a pivot toward coverage.

Contributions to Mainstream Outlets

Weiss began his journalistic career contributing feature articles to , covering topics ranging from cultural phenomena to personal . In December 1993, he published "Hollywood at a ," examining the intense dynamics of the film industry during awards season. His December 1998 piece, "Beethoven's Hair Tells All!," explored scientific analysis of the composer's relics to reassess historical narratives about his life and death. In May 2000, Weiss contributed to a special issue with "Is This Marriage on the Rocks," analyzing marital satisfaction through reader polls and comparative data. As a contributing editor to and , Weiss produced investigative and profile-driven journalism on social and political subjects, though specific bylines from these roles emphasize his broader editorial involvement rather than isolated articles. These contributions established his reputation in long-form before shifting focus to independent blogging. Weiss also served as a columnist and blogger for The New York Observer, where he wrote on New York politics, media, and cultural critique, launching his daily blog Mondoweiss within the outlet in 2006 as an extension of these efforts. His work appeared in New York Magazine, including profiles and commentary on public figures and urban life. Later contributions extended to The Nation, where he authored pieces critiquing U.S. influences, such as a 2007 article proposing alternatives to pro-Israel groups. These mainstream bylines, primarily from the 1990s and early 2000s, preceded his founding of Mondoweiss and highlighted his transition from general reportage to specialized .

Founding of Mondoweiss

Origins and Development

Mondoweiss originated as a personal blog launched by Philip Weiss in March 2006, hosted on website, where it initially focused on explorations of , American progressive politics, and emerging critiques of U.S. foreign policy toward and . Weiss, drawing from his background in mainstream journalism, used the platform to voice personal reflections on and related issues, marking an early shift in his writing toward anti-Zionist themes amid growing disillusionment with Israel's policies. The site's development accelerated with the addition of Adam Horowitz as managing editor and co-editor in 2009, transforming it from a solo endeavor into a collaborative outlet with expanded editorial input and a sharper emphasis on Palestine solidarity reporting. Horowitz's involvement, rooted in his prior work on Israel-Palestine programs, helped professionalize content production, incorporating interviews, on-the-ground dispatches, and analyses challenging mainstream narratives on the conflict. By this period, Mondoweiss had cultivated a niche audience within progressive Jewish communities, prioritizing firsthand accounts and critiques of Israeli actions over institutional media coverage. Transitioning to full independence around 2010, established its own domain, mondoweiss.net, severing ties with to pursue unrestricted editorial focus on Palestinian rights, U.S. policy influences, and anti-Zionist advocacy. This autonomy enabled growth into a dedicated news site with a roster of regular contributors, original investigations, and elements, while maintaining from donors to avoid content sway. Over subsequent years, it expanded readership through rigorous standards for sourcing and analysis, positioning itself as a to perceived biases in establishment outlets, though reliant on reader support and nonprofit affiliations like the Center for Economic Research and Social Change.

Leadership and Editorial Focus

Philip Weiss founded in 2006 as a personal and has served as its senior editor, shaping its direction through original reporting and opinion pieces that critique and center Palestinian narratives. Under his leadership, the site expanded from a solo endeavor to a collaborative outlet with a staff of ten, including specialized roles such as Editor-in-Chief Yumna Patel, Managing Editor , and a Editorial Director, enabling on-the-ground reporting via a permanent bureau in . Weiss continues to guide the team even during his recent for book writing, maintaining the publication's emphasis on independent funded by reader donations rather than donors. The editorial focus prioritizes news and analysis on the Israel-Palestine conflict, U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, and Palestinian human rights, highlighting viewpoints sidelined by mainstream outlets and advocating for Palestinian liberation through diverse contributor voices, including activists and on-site reporters. Mondoweiss commits to rigorous standards, demanding documentable evidence, reliable sourcing, and editorial independence as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under The Center for Economic Research and Social Change, while explicitly positioning itself to challenge Zionist policies and amplify Palestinian stories in service of global activism. This approach has evolved the site into a multimedia platform encompassing articles, videos, and podcasts, with growth accelerating amid heightened attention to Gaza since October 2023.

Major Writings and Publications

Books

Philip Weiss authored two books early in his career. His debut, (1996), is a satirical critiquing political and media figures through exaggerated portrayals of Washington insiders. In 2004, Weiss published : A Murder in the , a nonfiction account examining the 1976 killing of Peace Corps volunteer Deborah Gardner in , based on extensive interviews, court documents, and archival research that highlighted institutional failures in the organization's response. Weiss also co-edited The Goldstone Report: The Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict (2011), which compiles essays analyzing the 2009 fact-finding mission led by Judge into the Gaza War, including critiques of Israeli military actions and international responses.

Involvement with Key Reports

Philip Weiss co-edited The Goldstone Report: The Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict, published in 2011 by Nation Books. The 432-page volume, co-edited with and Lizzy Ratner, includes the full text of the Fact Finding Mission report from September 2009, along with essays, interviews, and commentary from contributors such as , , and . The UN report, chaired by South African judge , examined the 2008–2009 Gaza War (Operation Cast Lead) and found evidence of war crimes and possible committed by both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants, including deliberate targeting of civilians, use of human shields, and disproportionate attacks. Weiss and his co-editors framed the book as a defense of the mission's findings against political backlash, particularly from U.S. and Israeli officials who criticized the report for alleged bias and failure to adequately address Hamas rocket attacks. In response to Goldstone's April 2011 Washington Post retracting his conclusion that had intentionally targeted civilians—citing new Israeli investigations that found no deliberate policy—the book's editors maintained that the report's emphasis on accountability for violations of endured. They argued that 's internal probes lacked independence and that the UN findings on systemic issues, such as the use of white phosphorus in densely populated areas, warranted further international scrutiny. The publication aligned with Weiss's broader journalistic focus on U.S. policy toward and critiques of what he described as suppression of evidence from the conflict.

Political Views

Shift Toward Anti-Zionism

Philip Weiss, raised in a secular academic Jewish family in , initially absorbed mainstream influences prevalent in American Jewish communities during the post-Holocaust era. His early journalistic career, spanning outlets like , Harper's, and , focused on domestic and cultural topics without a pronounced emphasis on , reflecting a conventional liberal Jewish perspective that viewed as a protective nationalist project for Jews. A pivotal shift occurred around 2003 amid the Iraq War, when Weiss's brother remarked that the conflict could ultimately benefit Jews, prompting Weiss to question the entanglement of American foreign policy with pro-Israel advocacy. This incident, which he later likened to Theodor Herzl's galvanizing moment but in reverse—turning away from Zionism—led him to redirect his reporting toward scrutinizing the Israel lobby's influence and its implications for U.S. interests. By 2006, while at the New York Observer, Weiss launched the Mondoweiss blog to delve into these themes from a progressive Jewish viewpoint, marking his transition from peripheral criticism to systematic opposition to Zionist policies, particularly the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. Weiss's evolving stance crystallized into explicit by the late 2000s, as evidenced by his advocacy for a encompassing equal rights for and , which he argues is necessary to resolve violence and ethnic strife. He has publicly stated that "Zionism is clearly a problem" and poses dangers to Jewish security and identity, attributing this view to empirical observations of 's policies, including settlement expansion and military actions, which he contends undermine the original Zionist promise of Jewish refuge. This position, while rooted in his self-described Jewish ethical framework, contrasts with earlier Zionist-leaning influences and has drawn accusations of overemphasizing lobby power at the expense of broader geopolitical factors, though Weiss maintains it stems from firsthand reporting on U.S.- dynamics.

Positions on U.S. Foreign Policy

Philip Weiss has argued that U.S. foreign policy in the is unduly influenced by Israel's interests, leading to interventions that prioritize Zionist objectives over American ones. He contends that this dynamic, embedded in the U.S. power structure through lobbies, donors, and ideological commitments, perpetuates support for Israel's actions despite evidence of war crimes and domestic opposition. In critiquing the , Weiss attributes its origins partly to neoconservative advocacy aligned with Israeli security goals, such as fragmenting Arab states, as outlined in the 1996 "A Clean Break" paper and promoted by figures like in U.S. congressional testimony. He links such policies to broader U.S. , including sanctions that contributed to over 1 million Iraqi deaths and military occupations that fueled grievances, as stated in Osama bin Laden's 1998 declaration. These actions, Weiss maintains, bred anti-American hatred without prompting U.S. self-reflection on their causal role. Weiss views U.S. support for as economically and strategically costly, exemplified by the crisis where Israeli pressure allegedly drove decisions like potential U.S. strikes under Trump, echoing Netanyahu's role in WMD propaganda. He highlights donor influence, noting that nine of President Biden's top 25 donors were staunch supporters, enabling policies that alienated his progressive base amid Gaza operations. On liberal Zionist groups like , Weiss acknowledges their push for limits on unconditional aid—such as support for bills conditioning assistance on —but criticizes their core commitment to a , which he sees as incompatible with Palestinian equality and unable to counter right-wing lobbies like effectively. He advocates policy shifts toward Palestinian fairness, including reevaluating aid amid apartheid allegations, and calls for open debate on Jewish neoconservative sway, as inspired by the 2011 Arab revolts' challenge to entrenched U.S.- alignments.

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Anti-Semitism

In May 2015, David , a law professor writing in 's blog, accused Philip Weiss of anti-Semitism, labeling a "hate site" in response to Weiss's post "Forgiving the Anti-Semites," which recounted personal encounters during that Weiss interpreted as mild anti-Semitism and reflected on Jewish cultural attitudes toward prestige and power in America. Bernstein argued that Weiss's writings revealed a "morbidly interesting" fixation on overcoming his Jewish background, portraying it as alternately "suffocating and infuriating," and likened Weiss to a neurotic anti-Zionist . Weiss rejected the accusation, maintaining that his post urged Jews to confront their elevated status in Western societies—including institutional dominance at places like and the U.S. , alongside the lobby's policy sway—as a "great spiritual challenge" rather than an expression of hatred, drawing on Yuri Slezkine's The Jewish Century to contextualize Jewish success historically. He contended that fixating on past persecution evades scrutiny of current influence, particularly its ties to U.S. foreign policy failures in the . In February 2012, the Committee for Accuracy in Reporting in America (CAMERA) criticized Weiss for defending the term "Israel firster" to describe prioritizing Israel, arguing it revives anti-Semitic dual-loyalty tropes historically deployed by neo-Nazis like of the and echoed in conspiratorial critiques of Jewish influence. CAMERA highlighted Weiss's misrepresentation of a 1960 speech by president Abram Sachar, whom Weiss claimed originated the phrase regarding ; in fact, Sachar addressed Israeli immigrants' priorities, as reported contemporaneously in and Jewish Welfare Board records, with no correction issued by despite evidence. In October 2016, Tablet Magazine described a Mondoweiss article attacking Jeffrey Goldberg's appointment as editor-in-chief of The Atlantic as an anti-Semitic assault, imputing to him membership in a clandestine Jewish network akin to far-right conspiracy narratives about hidden cabals, an impulse the publication equated with smears against figures like Huma Abedin. Pro-Israel watchdog groups like have cataloged content under Weiss's editorship as promoting anti-Semitism through denial of Jewish historical peoplehood, endorsement of anti-Israel conspiracies, and platforms for BDS advocates, citing examples such as articles questioning 's legitimacy and social media posts amplifying tropes of undue Israeli sway. These allegations, often from sources aligned against , contrast with Weiss's self-identification as a Jew critiquing from within, though critics maintain such defenses obscure rhetorical overlaps with prejudicial stereotypes of collective Jewish power and disloyalty.

Charges of Bias and Selective Reporting

Philip Weiss and the publication he founded, , have faced accusations of in their coverage of Israel-Palestine issues, with critics arguing that the outlet prioritizes a pro-Palestinian, anti-Zionist perspective at the expense of balanced reporting. Media watchdog rated as left-biased and questionable in December 2023, citing its blending of opinion pieces with news articles without clear delineation, promotion of pro-Palestinian , and reliance on low-quality sources such as . Critics have highlighted selective reporting that emphasizes Israeli actions negatively while omitting or downplaying Palestinian agency or context, such as in a 2023 article titled "Genocide in service of Nakba 2023," which employed highly charged language without incorporating Israeli security perspectives or counterarguments. Similarly, coverage of events like the October 2023 Al-Ahli hospital incident included unverified claims of an Israeli "massacre" killing over 500 Palestinians, later contradicted by intelligence assessments attributing the blast to a misfired Palestinian rocket, illustrating alleged tendencies toward misleading narratives that amplify anti-Israel claims prematurely. Pro-Israel advocacy group has characterized as exhibiting an "extreme ideological bent" through biased reporting that exaggerates negative events and features extreme viewpoints, including refusals to recognize as a and assertions that poses no existential threat to . Legal scholar , writing in in May 2015, labeled a "hate site" for publicizing and amplifying hostility toward in ways that blur lines between policy critique and broader animus, often through selective amplification of uncontextualized incidents. These charges extend to linguistic choices, such as framing Jewish religious practices in derogatory terms like "Talmudic rituals," which critics argue veer into anti-Jewish rhetoric rather than objective analysis. Despite such criticisms, content has been referenced by mainstream outlets, raising questions about the propagation of selectively sourced material into broader discourse. Weiss's personal anti-Zionist evolution, as reflected in the site's editorial direction, is cited by detractors as the causal driver of this perceived imbalance, though Weiss maintains the focus counters underrepresented Palestinian viewpoints.

Responses to Accusations

Philip Weiss has rejected accusations of anti-Semitism, asserting that his criticism targets as a discriminatory rather than as a people. In a 2015 response to David Bernstein's Washington Post column labeling a "hate site," Weiss defended a Passover-themed article by arguing it urged to confront their substantial power in American institutions—such as Jewish deans at universities and disproportionate representation on the —and wield it responsibly amid the lobby's influence, framing this as a "great spiritual challenge" rooted in rather than hatred. He conceded that one anecdote in the piece, involving an exaggerated $7,000-per-week hotel stay, was "shtik-like and cartoonish" and should have been omitted, but maintained the core message encouraged reflection on contemporary Jewish status in the U.S., not historical victimization tropes akin to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which he explicitly denied endorsing while citing verifiable examples of media figures praising . Weiss has similarly dismissed claims that discussing Jewish influence constitutes anti-Semitism, noting in that he has faced such labels for years despite factual documentation of Jewish overrepresentation in sectors like the U.S. (10%) and ranks (25%), which he attributes to structural advantages rather than conspiracy. He highlighted the irony that pro-Israel advocates, including figures like , now openly appeal to this "influence" and communal wealth to defend , suggesting the accusations serve to stifle debate on Zionism's impacts. Regarding broader charges, Weiss has argued that opposition to Israel's existence as an explicitly or support for the (BDS) movement does not equate to anti-Semitism, as these challenge ethno-nationalist policies discriminatory toward , not Jewish identity or safety. In 2016, he co-authored a piece contending that denying Israel's "right to exist" as a critiques an ideological construct, not inherently, drawing parallels to historical Jewish critiques of exclusionary . He echoed this in responses to BDS criticisms, including letters published in the Washington Post in 2015 affirming the campaign's focus on ending occupation and apartheid-like conditions without targeting . On allegations of bias and selective reporting, Weiss counters by documenting pro-Israel slant in mainstream outlets, such as a 2025 analysis revealing extensive ties between New York Times personnel and advocacy groups favoring Israel, positioning Mondoweiss as corrective journalism filling gaps ignored by establishment media due to institutional pressures. He has described smears from outlets like Tablet Magazine as attempts to equate anti-Zionism with Jew-baiting, rejecting them as efforts to protect the "Israel lobby" from scrutiny that he claims has distorted U.S. policy.

Personal Life and Recent Activities

Family and Personal Relationships

Philip Weiss has been married to Cynthia Kling, a writer and editor, since at least 2000. The couple resides in Philipstown, New York, in the , where Kling has contributed to supporting Weiss's journalistic endeavors, including through financial means during the early years of . Kling is also active in anti-incarceration advocacy. Weiss and Kling have navigated personal and familial tensions, as detailed in Weiss's writings. In a 2000 New York Times Magazine article, Weiss described participating with Kling in a scientific marriage assessment at the University of Washington's , highlighting strains in their relationship amid discussions of commitment and independence. A 2009 post recounted intergenerational conflicts during family gatherings, including Kling's discomfort with Weiss's father's comments on anti-Semitism and intermarriage, which echoed broader Jewish communal anxieties; Weiss mediated these while noting his parents' residence outside and positive bonds between Kling and his mother. Weiss maintains close ties with his family of origin. He has referenced a younger brother in personal essays on political discussions within the family, such as a 2009 conversation about Israel-Palestine during their mother's 80th birthday celebration in . His parents, both in their 80s as of 2009, reside near , with his father expressing traditional concerns about and external threats. A sister is mentioned in family contexts, though details remain limited. No public records or statements indicate that Weiss and Kling have children. Weiss's writings occasionally touch on nephews and extended family events, such as museum visits with his mother's grandsons, but these pertain to siblings' offspring rather than his own.

Current Residence and Ongoing Work

Philip Weiss resides in Philipstown, a locality in Putnam County, New York, situated in the Hudson Highlands region. As founder and senior editor of , Weiss oversees the publication's editorial direction and contributes regular articles analyzing U.S. , the Israel-Palestine conflict, and domestic political shifts related to these issues. The site, established in 2006, maintains a focus on independent reporting and opinion pieces from a perspective critical of Israeli policies and U.S. support for them, with Weiss authoring pieces as recently as October 2025 on topics including Democratic Party responses to the Gaza situation and emerging isolation of internationally. In addition to his work at , Weiss teaches at Marist University in , where he imparts skills in investigative reporting and media analysis to students. His ongoing activities emphasize sustained commentary on policy through digital platforms, reflecting a commitment to coverage often absent from mainstream outlets.

References

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