The date 1967/1968 became recognized as a key moment in Jewish history, which is, however, differently located in various national narratives. The events that took place around this time in Israel, in the former Soviet bloc countries, Western Europe, and the US are often read in the immediate context of their respective local political configurations. Diagnosing the limitations of such an approach, we would like to explore the transnational political aspects of 1967/1968 in Jewish history, but even more importantly its broader cultural and social dimensions.

The opening of the conference will take place at POLIN Museum on December 2nd:

12:00 noon Registration opens

1:00-3:00 p.m. Tour of the Core Exhibition

4:00-4:30 p.m. Welcome and opening remarks

4:30-6:00 p.m. Keynote: Amy Kaplan (University of Pennsylvania), June 1967 and the Vietnam War

The fervid American response to the June 1967 War in the Middle East must be understood against the background of the escalating war in Vietnam. The media romanticized the Israeli army for its military efficiency and moral clarity as an antidote to the deepening “quagmire” in South East Asia and the growing antiwar movement at home. Hawks and antiwar liberals and alike contributed to the idealization of the Israeli soldier. In the aftermath of the Six-Day War, however, as Israel entrenched its rule over conquered territories and faced armed Palestinian resistance, comparisons to Vietnam became more contested. When journalists likened Palestinian guerrillas to the Viet Cong, Palestinians became heroes of a competing romance of third world revolutionaries for some, while demonized as terrorists by the others. The paper explores the volatile analogies between Israel and Vietnam through the media portrayal of Israeli soldiers in triangulated relation to Palestinian commandos and Americans fighting in Vietnam.

Moderator: Karolina Krasuska

The second and the third day of the conference will take place at Staszic Palace, ul. Nowy Świat 72. The program of the events can be found here.

All talks and panels are free and open to the public

• December 2, 12:00-6:00 p.m., admission free