Author: Elena Yacov

This article was originally published by The Jerusalem Post on 6/25/25.

On June 21, 2025, the United States and Israel deepened their historic partnership, as American warplanes struck Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in a decisive blow against barbarism.

For the first time, the U.S. allowed an ally to lead: Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, using F-35 jets, cleared Iran’s skies and softened targets, paving the way for U.S. B-2 stealth bombers with GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles to dramatically diminish Iran’s nuclear ambitions. President Donald Trump hailed this as a triumph of freedom over evil, a moral stand in the fight between terror and liberty. This unprecedented cooperation, with Israel initiating and the U.S. completing the mission, sets a bold example for diaspora Jews to reject passivity and embrace self-reliance in the face of global threats.

Since the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, the world has relentlessly dictated to Israel: don’t enter Rafah; negotiate with Hamas; trust Qatar to broker ceasefires with the Hamas terrorists; avoid confronting Hezbollah; ignore Houthi assaults; and never strike Iran. The message is clear: absorb blows, tolerate civilian casualties, dismiss enemies’ threats, and let others shape your fate. This counsel of passivity echoes a historical trap that has endangered Jews for centuries.

In the diaspora, Jews face similar advice: stay silent; avoid provocation; and trust law enforcement, politicians, or societal goodwill to protect us. Antisemitism, we’re told, won’t escalate. Don’t fight back; focus on building coalitions; tone down advocacy; and rely on systems for safety. Many comply, conditioned by centuries of vulnerability, to believe restraint ensures survival. The Holocaust, when six million stateless Jews perished as the world stood by, cemented this caution. Without a state or army, Jews in Europe were defenseless.

Yet Israel has rejected this paralysis, forging a destiny of strength and self-reliance. The 2003 flyover of Auschwitz by three Israeli F-15 Eagles, a powerful symbol of this transformation, captured Israel’s resolve.

In 2003, a squadron of Israel’s F-15 Eagles flew over Auschwitz, and Maj. General Amir Eshel, who led the flyover, stated on behalf of the IDF: “We pilots of the Israeli Air Force, flying in the skies above the camp of horrors, arose from the ashes of the millions of victims and shoulder their silent cries, salute their courage and promise to be the shield of the Jewish people and its nation Israel.” This vow underpins Israel’s actions—dismantling Hamas, crippling Hezbollah, and targeting Iran’s nuclear programs—now amplified by the U.S. partnership. In contrast, diaspora Jews often cling to a false belief that others will protect us, a divergence that demands action.

The surge of Antisemitism has shattered all illusions. On May 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C., Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum by Elias Rodriguez, who shouted “Free Palestine” in a hate crime the FBI called terrorism. On June 1, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national illegally in the U.S., threw Molotov cocktails at a Run for Their Lives rally, injuring 12, aiming to “kill all Zionist people.” Synagogues are defaced in London and Los Angeles. Jewish students face hostility at Columbia and UCLA. Jewish businesses endure vandalism. In Europe, France reports unprecedented violence since 2021. Yet, leaders urge patience: trust police, wait for calm. The U.S.-Israel operation charts a bolder path.

Israel’s security is existential. Since October 7, it has crushed Hamas’s military in Gaza, preventing another massacre. In 2024, it eliminated Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and its missile arsenal, weakening Iran’s network. Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Tehran, killing IRGC commanders Saeed Izadi and Behnam Shahriyari, set the stage for the U.S. to finish Iran’s nuclear threat. This U.S.-Israel model refuses to let dangers materialize.

This mindset is preparation, not aggression. In June 2025, Israel led, and the U.S. followed, based on the premise that our survival is non-negotiable. Diaspora Jews, relying on local authorities, face limits exposed by the 2018 Pittsburgh shooting, 2022 Colleyville crisis, D.C. murders, and Boulder attack. In Europe, knife attacks in Amsterdam demand self-reliance.

The diaspora need not stand alone. Israel’s resources—intelligence, cyber-defense, training—can empower communities. Shin Bet workshops could protect synagogues in New York. Israel’s moral support affirms that we are not isolated. In return, we must advocate for Israel’s right to self-defense. This synergy fortifies us both.

Diaspora Jews must reject the notion that antisemitism is fleeting. Threats from radical Islamists, far-left ideologues, and right-wing extremists escalate. The D.C. and Boulder attacks are part of a global wave. We cannot outsource safety. We must invest in security: trained guards, digital defenses, rapid-response networks. We can train youth, mirroring Israel’s preparedness, and foster Jewish pride.

Security is not isolation. The Islamo-leftist alliance threatens Jews and democracies. The U.S.-Israel partnership against Iran exemplifies cooperation. Diaspora Jews can forge coalitions with many other groups, retaining control over our safety.

Jewish history teaches survival demands resolve. The U.S.-Israel operation—Israel dismantling Hamas and Hezbollah, both neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat—sets the path. We must invest in defenses, train our youth, deepen ties with Israel, and build alliances. Rejecting passivity, global Jewry can forge a future as architects of our destiny—united, resilient, and unafraid.

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on 5/22/25, written by Adam Milstein.

A dangerous new ideology is taking root on the American right. What began as a sensible “America First” doctrine to prioritize American interests has, in some circles, morphed into an “America Only” worldview that views global engagement as a threat. Implementing this ideology would prove catastrophic for the world and dangerous for America.

 “America First” is a call for strategic, interest-driven global leadership, asserting that American power abroad should be wielded judiciously, not abused, and that global alliances can be assets, not burdens.

 “America Only,” by contrast, is a retreat, a refusal to lead, an abandonment of allies, and a fantasy that America can insulate itself from the world’s problems. The distinction is critical, as “America Only” is both historically unsound and strategically disastrous.

 When America retreats from its role as a global leader, adversaries fill the void. History demonstrates this without exception. After World War I, America turned inward, creating a power vacuum that allowed authoritarian regimes to rise. This led to global instability and forced the U.S. to step back in to defend freedom.

 Today, as “America Only” ideology is gaining traction among some of the right’s most vocal voices, including media figures like Tucker Carlson and isolationist elements within the Trump administration, we risk repeating the same mistakes.

Retreat Will Empower Our Enemies

 If America withdraws from the global stage, the consequences will be swift and severe:

 China is rapidly modernizing its military and expanding its global influence. It stands ready to seize Taiwan and extend its reach across the Indo-Pacific, threatening allies like the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, and others.

• Russia, driven by its imperial ambitions, seeks to dominate beyond Ukraine. Its strategic goals include Poland, the Baltics, and other former Soviet states.

• Iran continues to develop nuclear weapons and the ballistic missiles to deliver them. It destabilizes the Middle East through proxy warfare and terrorism, seeking regional dominance from Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Its chants of “Death to America” are not just rhetoric, they are policy.

• North Korea, emboldened by U.S. disengagement, continues threatening South Korea and Japan with its growing nuclear arsenal.

These threats are interconnected, not isolated. Their risks and impact will amplify with America’s retreat, challenging the “America Only” belief that prioritizing one region over another is viable. A universal withdrawal triggers a collective surge of adversaries, sowing chaos worldwide.

Patriotism Requires Nuance

 Many young conservatives, disillusioned by the failures of nation-building and endless wars, are drawn to the idea that America should focus solely on domestic issues. This sentiment is understandable. They see billions in foreign aid allocated to Ukraine and other countries while the southern border remains unsecured and question the disconnect. They observe lost manufacturing jobs and shuttered towns, while global corporations prosper at the expense of American workers, reeling from globalization’s toll on communities like coal miners and steelworkers.

 But retreating is shortsighted. Instead, America must lead more strategically, with greater accountability. Global engagement doesn’t equate to endless war but preserves a world order that secures American interests. Without it, chaos will escalate and reach our shores.

 America shouldn’t be the world’s policeman. But it must be the world’s anchor. This involves maintaining robust alliances with key partners like the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Israel. It requires pushing back against authoritarian expansionism, leading trade initiatives, and offering viable alternatives to the Global South to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

A Purge of Strategic Thinking

 Alarmingly, the American right is witnessing an ideological purge of leaders who grasp these geopolitical realities, often labeled as “neoconservatives” (neocons). Figures like Mike Waltz, a decorated Green Beret and staunch advocate for American strength abroad, are being sidelined. In April 2025, six senior National Security Council staffers were dismissed under pressure from “America Only” advocates. This trend is undermining the right, where isolationist ideologues increasingly dominate.

 America cannot afford to hollow out its foreign policy establishment at a time of unprecedented geopolitical instability. Continued engagement is vital for global peace and U.S. strength. Isolation has never delivered security or prosperity, and continued engagement remains critical.

This Isn’t the Cold War, It’s the Interwar Period

 Some compare today’s challenges to the Cold War, but the better analogy is the volatile interwar period after World War I, when America recoiled from global responsibility, and the world paid a heavy price through zero-sum economic policies, territorial grabs, and a failed League of Nations. The current moment is equally volatile. Adversarial powers are rising, with the Russia-China-Iran axis gaining momentum, power, and influence. American alliances are fraying, and the temptation to turn inward is growing.

 Yet turning inward only delays the inevitable. The problems America ignores abroad will eventually reach its shores. Isolation has never delivered security or prosperity, and continued engagement remains critical.

Reimagine America First, Not America Only

 The original “America First” vision focused on protecting the American people, rebuilding the economy, and restoring sovereignty. These goals remain valid but must not be co-opted by those who advocate complete disengagement or reckless brinksmanship.

 America’s leaders must pursue a doctrine that avoids reckless interventionism while maintaining strategic leadership. This balanced approach ensures national security and economic prosperity by fostering trade agreements, technological innovation, and cultural ties to counter revisionist powers.

 If America embraces “America Only,” it will face a world where hostile powers shape the rules, redraw borders, and control the flow of goods, ideas, and influence. However, if America leads with resolve, on its terms, with clear goals and steadfast alliances, it can secure peace abroad and prosperity at home.

 Such leadership is what this moment requires.

This article was originally published by the Jerusalem Post on April, 24th, 2025.

“This American empire must fall”

This statement did not come from Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, from Vladimir Putin of Russia, or from China’s Xi Jinping. It came from a Muslim American resident of Dearborn, Michigan, who added: “People are willing to fight and put their lives on the line to bring these Western empires down.”

It is a chilling reminder that calls for the destruction of America and Western civilization are not limited to distant regimes. These ideas are now echoed within our own communities, on college campuses, on online platforms, and through nonprofit organizations.

Following the violent protests and encampments that claimed to target Israel, many Americans began to understand the deeper truth. Radical Islam is no longer just an external danger. It has embedded itself within our institutions and aligned itself with elements of the far-left in a calculated attempt to weaken and undermine America from within.

This partnership, often referred to as the “Red-Green Axis,” is not a loose affiliation. It is a coordinated movement. Radical Islamists, cloaked in the legitimacy granted by progressive activists, are advancing a deliberate campaign to undermine American values. They are not merely promoting criticism or protest, but are engaged in an ideological form of jihad, designed to destabilize our legal, educational, cultural, and political systems.

History tells us how this story will end

This is not the first time such an alliance has taken place. In 1979, leftists in Iran joined forces with Islamic fundamentalists to overthrow the Shah. The Left mistakenly believes it is standing shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with radical Muslims for “liberation,” “democracy,” and “justice.” But, once the revolution succeeded, the Islamists turned on their former allies, imprisoning and executing them to establish a religious dictatorship. That same regime continues to oppress most of its citizens to this day.

The same pattern is now emerging in the United States

We are witnessing a similar pattern unfold in the United States. Progressive activists, often unaware of the Islamist true agenda, march under slogans such as “From the river to the sea” and “Globalize the Intifada.” These phrases originate from extremists’ playbooks. The activists using them believe they are fighting for justice, but they are unknowingly promoting a vision of society that fundamentally opposes everything they claim to support.

Islamist extremists do not believe in freedom or equality. They view progressive allies not as partners, but as useful idiots to be used and discarded once their objectives have been achieved.

A War on America’s Core

This campaign is not confined to rhetoric. It is organized, funded, and executed through real infrastructure. As recently documented by the Capital Research Center, since October 2023, nearly 500 American nonprofits claiming to support Palestinian rights have adopted increasingly radical positions. Groups such as Within Our Lifetime, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and Code Pink have amplified violent rhetoric and promoted anti-American narratives.

The report also shows an online surge of +3,000% in calls for violence and a 186% increase in anti-American and anti-police rhetoric. The social media posts affiliated with these groups have reached tens of millions of viewers. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a systematic effort to radicalize young Americans and erode public trust in law enforcement, government, and civil society.

These organizations are not charities. They are domestic ideological insurgents. They use the nonprofit system to radicalize young Americans, promote sedition and justify terrorism in an attempt to destroy American freedom.

This ideological insurgency has taken root within nonprofit organizations and academic institutions. According to a new report by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP),  Qatar, the global financer of the Muslim Brotherhood, has funneled hundreds of millions or even billions into American K-12 schools by partnering with universities like Brown to distribute curriculum materials that distort history and encourage anti-Western thinking. These materials are already present in thousands of classrooms nationwide.

Another report by Open the Books, reveals that foreign regimes including China, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have invested heavily in programs that shape American education. Billions of dollars from both taxpayers and foreign donors are now used to fund ideological departments, activist groups, and so-called diversity programs at top public universities. These programs often support faculty who defend or celebrate acts of terrorism.

At Columbia University, one professor described the October 7 Hamas massacre as a triumph for Palestinian resistance. That professor continues to receive government-backed funding.

The institutions that once safeguarded truth and education are now being used as tools of indoctrination.

This is not a debate over policy. It is a fight for the future of our country. We must stop viewing this as a foreign affairs issue. This is an American issue that affects every citizen, regardless of background or political affiliation.

If we allow our civic institutions to be overtaken by extremist ideologies, if we excuse those who glorify jihad in the name of justice, we will endanger the very freedoms that define us. 

The Path Forward

The United States must respond with strength and moral clarity. Organizations that promote violence must lose their nonprofit status. Educational institutions that accept foreign funds must face scrutiny and accountability. Public officials must call out and reject this alliance between radical Islam and the far-left. And progressive leaders must draw a clear line between social justice and extremist ideology.

At the same time, we must offer a better path forward. We must renew our commitment to truth, liberty, and individual rights. We must protect the integrity of our education system and restore trust in our institutions. We must raise a generation that understands both the privilege and the responsibility of living in a free society.

This campaign to divide and destroy our nation thrives on confusion. It relies on fear, chaos, and the silence of those who should know better. We must not remain silent.

America has always faced adversity with courage and conviction. We have overcome external enemies and internal division before. And with resolve, unity, and a renewed sense of purpose, we will do so again.

The future of our country is still in our hands. Let us rise to meet this challenge with clarity, strength, and hope.

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on March, 23rd 2025.

What do a Yale scholar, a Columbia student, a Georgetown researcher, 60 colleges and universities under investigation for relentless antisemitic eruptions, and Hamas – have in common?

In traditional times, the answer should be absolutely nothing. Institutions like Yale, Harvard, UPenn, Georgetown, and Columbia were once guardians of liberal democratic values, committed to fighting hatred and violence. Yet, today, this is far from the case.

A dangerous alliance has formed between the progressive movement in the United States and radical Muslim groups, using the guise of victimhood to create an anti-American coalition. Though antisemitic and anti-Israel at its core, the ultimate goal of this Red-Green coalition is far broader: the systematic destruction of America from within.

To accomplish its goal the movement has exploited American institutions, using democracy itself as a tool to undermine the very values that have made the United States the world’s most successful democracy.

The Long Game: Indoctrination and Radicalization

For years, the Islamo-Leftist alliance has been laying the groundwork to infiltrate academia. Starting with faculty and staff before trickling down to students. With foreign funding funneled into higher education institutions, this campaign of radicalization has steadily gained ground. The results became undeniable after the Hamas – October 7 barbaric attack on Israel, when the alliance mobilized in force, targeting America and its closest ally, Israel.

Over the past several years, the Red-Green network of terror sympathizers have systematically radicalized young minds, fostering a generation that views America as an illegitimate entity. They push for open borders, the abolition of law and order, and the delegitimization of democratic governance – all under the banner of “justice” and “liberation.” But their goals are clear: to dismantle the very foundations of American society.

The consequences are visible. Radicalized student mobs have stormed administrative offices, taken over campus buildings, and issued violent threats against those who dare to dissent. Freedom of speech has been suffocated, unless it aligns with the Islamo-Leftist narrative.

The Terror Connection: The Threat Within

We now have evidence linking these radical campus activists to terror groups openly calling for the destruction of America.

Consider Helyeh Doutaghi, an Iranian academic recently suspended from Yale for her involvement with Samidoun, a U.S.-designated terrorist entity. Doutaghi has openly called for a fight against America and the overthrow of its so-called “dictatorship.”

Then there’s Khalil Mahmood and Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), a student-led initiative that seeks to dismantle both Israel and the United States. CUAD views America as an imperialist power, referring to their own activism as a fight from “within the belly of the beast.” Mahmood and CUAD activists have led aggressive protests, disrupted campus events, and pressured universities to cut ties with pro-American institutions.

Now, Mahmood’s legal case has become a rallying cry for leftist activists, who misleadingly frame it as a free speech issue while conveniently ignoring his open hostility toward the United States. His support among the progressive left underscores the extent to which the Islamo-Leftist alliance has gained influence, shaping the next generation of political extremists.

The Collapse of the Progressive Movement

The progressive movement has long harbored radical elements, but for many years, they remained on the fringes. Today, however, the radicals are no longer on the fringe, they are setting the agenda.

Leading progressive organizations now openly embrace slogans like “Globalize the Intifada” and “Bring Down the Empire.” Many young students chant these phrases without understanding their true meaning, believing they are fighting for “justice.” Yet these are not metaphors. The Red-Green radicals themselves admit they are direct calls for violence against American citizens.

At its core, the movement’s anti-American rhetoric represents a direct attack on the principles that define this nation. The United States was founded on liberty, democracy, and the rule of law, principles that have made it the freest and most prosperous country in history. But the Islamo-Leftist alliance sees these values as obstacles to its agenda. It embraces socialism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of free speech through intimidation and mob violence.

By radicalizing young Americans through university protests and social media propaganda, this movement is fueling a domestic insurgency designed to destabilize the nation from within.

The Global Threat: The Islamo-Leftist Alliance and Foreign Adversaries

This movement is not just a campus issue. It is a national security threat. It aligns itself with America’s foreign adversaries, openly supporting authoritarian regimes like China, Iran, Qatar, and Venezuela while demonizing U.S. foreign policy.

Radical activists in the U.S. describe American military efforts against Hezbollah and the Houthis, both designated as terrorist organizations, as “American terrorism.” Their hostility toward national sovereignty is evident in their push for open borders, knowing full well that a country without borders ceases to be a country at all. This is not about humanitarianism; it is about eroding America’s strength, identity, and ability to defend itself.

The Fight for America’s Future

The radicalization of American academia is no longer a fringe issue. It is a clear and present danger to national security. What we see on college campuses is a symptom of a larger problem: an organized effort to undermine America from within.

Universities, media outlets, and political institutions must stop legitimizing these extremist groups in the name of free speech. Law enforcement must take decisive action against those inciting violence. And American citizens must recognize that this fight is not about Jews or Israel – it is about the future of the United States itself.

By exposing and holding these extremists accountable, we can ensure that America remains a beacon of democracy and freedom. It is time for Americans to unite in defense of our country, reaffirm our commitment to its founding ideals, and resist the forces seeking to divide and destroy us. The future of the nation depends on it.

This article was originally published in The Jerusalem Post on February 23nd, 2025, written by Adam Milstein.

Throughout history, political movements, even those not initially antisemitic, have often seen their most radical factions steer them toward antisemitism. In recent years, segments of the American left have embraced militant Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Critical Race Theory (CRT), Marxist ideologies, and policies that exacerbate societal divisions. This shift has, at times, fostered antisemitic sentiments, as observed in rhetoric from certain college campuses, organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Jewish Voice for Peace, national unions, civil rights groups, and members of the “Squad.” For instance, a recent report from StopAntisemitism revealed that 72% of Jewish college students in the U.S. feel unwelcome, with over half having faced antisemitism.

The Republican Party has successfully positioned itself against many of these divisive issues, recognizing their danger to the American way of life and the direct opposition to liberal American values. The new administration has already made strides in addressing these social challenges and has also affirmed itself as a strong ally of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. However, the GOP has a blind spot for a Trojan horse gaining momentum within its ranks: a faction of “America First” isolationists who promote policies that, if unchecked, could threaten both America’s global standing and its allies, particularly Israel.

Defining themselves sometimes as “restrainers,” these figures advocate a philosophy of strengthening domestic affairs by rallying against most types of foreign aid and limiting military engagement abroad. While a measure of restraint in foreign policy is healthy, taken to an extreme, it risks weakening America’s global leadership and its commitment to strategic allies. The Jewish community must recognize this emerging threat and its potential to undermine the U.S.-Israel alliance.

The Dangers of Isolationism

The United States cannot afford to completely retreat from the world stage without severe consequences for America and global security. History has shown that when America stands back, adversaries quickly fill the vacuum—whether in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, or Latin America. A disengaged America emboldens hostile regimes, undermines global stability, and endangers our interests and allies.

Turning away from Israel, as advocated by the “America First” isolationists, would send a dangerous message to other U.S. allies: America is no longer a reliable partner. The isolationist sentiment echoes past missteps, such as America’s reluctance to confront the growing threats of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. If the U.S. pulls back now, nations that rely on American support may be forced to seek alliances elsewhere, including with adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran.

The Rise of Isolationism on the Far Right & Its Troubling Voices

The ideology of some within the “America First” isolationist movement mirrors that of the anti-military left. They are skeptical of military spending, distrustful of allies, and uncomfortable with America’s role as a global leader. This shift is evident in the rhetoric of high-profile figures:

• Tucker Carlson: A leading voice of the movement, Carlson has criticized U.S. support for Israel, portraying it as an unnecessary entanglement. He has also downplayed Iran’s threat and questioned whether defending Israel aligns with American interests.
• Key Department of Defense Officials are stocking critical policy positions with personnel who advocate for dramatically reducing America’s military footprint abroad. Some have dismissed Iran’s missile attacks on Israel as “moderate responses” and opposed U.S. action against Iranian proxies like the Houthis in Yemen.
• Senior State Department Advisors: Certain officials have made troubling comments about Israel, with one arguing that Israel’s “victimhood narrative” is unsustainable and another prioritizing opposition to the so-called deep state over threats from Iran, China, and Russia.
• Nick Fuentes and the Groypers: An openly antisemitic faction gaining traction among far-right activists, spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish influence in American politics while aligning with “America First” isolationists on disengaging from Israel.

Why U.S. Support for Israel Matters

The U.S.-Israel alliance is not just about shared values; it’s about strategic security. As former U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig once described, Israel is “the largest American aircraft carrier in the world that cannot be sunk.” It serves as America’s frontline defense in the Middle East, protecting U.S. interests without requiring American soldiers.

Iran is a uniquely dangerous malevolent global actor. Its nuclear ambitions, sponsorship of terrorism (through Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis), and attacks on U.S. forces would only increase if America disengaged from the region.

The U.S. is a direct beneficiary of Israel’s intelligence, technology, and military innovation. Projects like Iron Dome and David’s Sling have saved the U.S. billions in defense costs while safeguarding American lives.

As the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel upholds the very freedoms America claims to champion. Simply put, Israel is America’s most reliable and important ally in the Middle East.

A Call to All Americans: Oppose the Extremes Within Your Camp

Overreliance on the left led to a failure in recognizing the rise of antisemitism within progressive circles. Today, we risk making a similar mistake with the isolationist elements in the “America First” movement. Extremist voices, regardless of where they originate, never serve our society.

The rise of the “America First” isolationist is a dangerous trend. If left unchecked, it could unravel decades of U.S.-Israel cooperation and weaken America’s standing in the world. Americans who value our role as a global leader must recognize this threat and act decisively against it.

A strong, engaged America is essential for global stability. We must push back against isolationist rhetoric and demand continued bipartisan support for Israel. Israel’s security is not just a Jewish issue; it is a core American strategic interest.

This article was originally published by the Jerusalem Post on 11/24/24, written by Adam Milstein.

Since the end of WWII, the American Jewish community has lived in relative safety and prosperity compared to Jewish history. Decades of social comfort allowed for a political activity based on preference and not necessity. Throughout that period, the Jewish community focused political capital almost exclusively on the American left, often rejecting overtures from the right. While historically expedient, this strategy is now shortsighted. The current moment requires heightened realism and political pragmatism.

Over the last twenty-five years, we’ve seen political trends swing in both directions. Neither political party is perfect. Yet, the Jewish community doesn’t have the luxury of accepting support from one political camp at the expense of the other. And now, with an incoming conservative White House and Congress, Jewish organizations, advocates, and activists must collaborate across the political spectrum. When deciding who to support or who to accept support from, there are three questions every Jewish American should ask:

1. Do they support the existence of a Jewish State of Israel in peace and security?
2. Do they stand against Jew-hatred (antisemitism) in America and globally?
3. Do they support the idea of Jewish peoplehood (Am Yisrael), a global community of people who share a common religion, history, culture and a homeland in Israel?

Antisemites populate both the Left and the Right

The Jewish community has viewed the political left as a natural ally for a century, driven by traditionally shared values of civil rights andsocial justice.  Jewish activism has been deeply intertwined with progressive causes and included a shared commitment to fighting hate.Yet, the American political landscape is shifting.

In recent years progressive circles have embraced hostility towards Israel and often, by extension, toward Jews. The evolution of the Islamo-leftist alliance, the rise of the so-called “Squad” in Congress, along with the normalization of anti-Israel rhetoric on the left, has too often been ignored and dismissed by American Jews. Within the left, Israel is continuously demonized and Jews are routinely asked to choose between their identity and their party loyalty.

The far-right, with leaders such as Richard Spencer and David Duke, has always maintained allegiances with dangerous advocates, activists, and commentators. Just as the far-left is toxic for Jews, the far-right wishes to let Israel to fend for itself against our common enemies. However, while mainstream conservatism does not embrace antisemitism, certain conservative elements like the “neo conspiracists” associated with populist nationalism, conspiracy theories, and anti-elite rhetoric, with leaders such as Tucker Carlson, are either promoting, flirting with or tolerating antisemitic theories.

The Jewish community has over-indexed its political capital within Democratic circles and struggled to maintain an open-eyed realism of the left’s current shortcomings. The solution, however, is not to replicate the same mistake and blindly support the right, but to work holistically with common allies left and right of center across the entire spectrum.

Trump’s Record of Support for Israel and the Jewish Community

During the first Trump administration, the United States led some of the most significant pro-Israel actions in modern history. From moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem to recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, President Trump, the Republican party, and Christian Zionists demonstrated unwavering support for Israel. These were not just symbolic gestures—but concrete historic changes that have had a lasting impact on Israel’s security, and the future of the Jewish people.

And on Iran, the Trump administration used maximum pressure to ensure that this evil regime would never get nuclear weapons by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, a move that was overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli government but discontinued under the Biden-Harris administration. The Republican position against Iran could have ensured that Israel has the freedom to defend itself without the threat of a terror sponsoring nuclear-armed regime and numerous terror groups next door.

The Trump administration took significant steps to combat the rise of antisemitism on both sides of the political aisle, particularly by signing an executive order to protect Jewish students on college campuses and expanding the definition of antisemitism under federal civil rights law. Just last week Trump announced that his new administration will cut government funding to universities who do not proactively fight antisemitism on their campuses. This is crucial in addressing the growing problem of Jew hatred on American campuses, which in the last year became endemic among progressive and Islamist activists.

Despite these actions in defense of the Jewish people, Jewish Americans overwhelmingly supported Kamala Harris in the recent election. These results demonstrate that American Jewish political inclinations are still inflexible. As we move into the next era of Jewish life, however, Jewish Americans must become less ideologically rigid, and more unconditional in their support of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. 

A Vision for a Collaborative Future

It’s time for the Jewish community to embrace a more collaborative, strategic approach to political engagement. We should not tie our fate to one political party or ideology. Instead, we should work with whichever administration, NGO, or activist group, Democrat or Republican, Progressive or Conservative, that is committed to protecting American values, Jewish interests and sustaining a strong alliance with Israel.

This does not mean abandoning values or turning our backs on long-standing relationships. Rather, it means acknowledging that political landscapes change, and alliances should not be dictated by tradition or blind loyalty but rather by a clear-eyed pragmatism. Whether the White House is occupied by a Republican or a Democrat, our goal must always be to ensure that America and the Jewish community remain strong and protected.

In a world where antisemitism is on the rise and Israel is increasingly under siege by those who wish to destroy it, it is not enough to rely on either flawed political camp. We must work with anyone, on either side of the aisle, who will support our core values and stand with us against common enemies.

The future of the Jewish community, and of Israel, depends on our ability to engage with a broad spectrum of political thought. By working collaboratively with any leader who supports the Jewish people, we can advance Israel’s security, combat antisemitism, and ensure the continued flourishing of Jewish life in America. Let us not allow political partisanship to cloud our vision, but rather, let us forge alliances that strengthen our community, regardless of party affiliation, and protect our values for generations to come.

This article was originally published in the Jerusalem Post on September 20th, 2024.

The chapter of American university life in 2023/24 is already written – academic leadership was not equipped nor willing to stand up against antisemitism on campus. In one academic year, we witnessed cowardly administrators, fired presidents, the berating, bullying, and assaulting of Jewish students. Outside agitators and extremist groups were allowed to destroy campus sovereignty. Student groups appeased the murder and rape of Israeli civilians. Jewish students were under attack. Simply, universities overwhelmingly failed to protect their Jewish students.

The question remains, has university leadership learned anything from last year? And as the 2024/25 school year begins, will they choose a different path? Recent news about the Columbia Taskforce on antisemitism which reported extreme discrimination against Jews looks like an auspicious beginning to the year.

Here are three reasons why universities must act firmly, courageously, and consistently to rebuild flailing academic institutions:

1. Campus leadership must stop allowing a loud, misinformed, angry minority and outside instigators to overtake campus life

The protests, encampments, and demonstrations are not representative of the views of the majority of college students. Allowing a loud minority, which often includes non-students and paid agitators, to disrupt campus culture is immoral and wasteful. The social, political, and real capital required to manage and control these activists, protests, and riots is unsustainable.

Yet, throughout last year, administrators appeased and even encouraged bad actors, allowing them to maintain their disruptive presence on campus. These are learning institutions, not playgrounds to cosplay as revolutionaries. And campus leadership should make that point firmly.

Academic life in America used to consist of debating Plato and exploring biology and economics. Today, universities are saturated with students who seek confrontation for ‘likes’ on social media and outsiders with extremists’ agendas. The agitators have zero impact on any of the policies they claim to care about. What do they affect? Students’ emotional and physical wellbeing, and their literal ability to get to class as well as the public’s perception about the high education institutions that allow this mayhem.

2. Universities must reclaim the “American” in their founding charters

Protestors spew anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment, and they are hell bent on rewriting Western history and placing American history is on the chopping block.  Countless faculty and students feverishly follow a toxic, regressive neo-Marxist ideology. It sees the United States, western countries, and Israel as white supremacists, nationalistic, colonizers and seek to dismantle the Western world order.

Followers of this ideology have no interest in the truth. They consistently seek information and opinions to reaffirm their pre-existing views and political goals. This is antithetical to liberal academic values. And they vehemently oppose freedom of speech and reject the open exchange of ideas and viewpoints, vital facets of democracy. They are merely laser-focused on how one version of history helps them in the present and future. They are not interested in learning history or grasping complexity. And their toxic views motivate actions, as they unabashedly burn American flags alongside Israeli ones.

University leadership must recognize – this ideology is not only a threat to Jews, but a threat to all Americans and to the fundamentals of the American way of life.

3. Universities must reinforce their sovereignty

Foreign actors use the current moment to sow discord and chaos on our American universities and beyond. The external  funding of groups frequently disrupting campus has already been raised into question. Organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Codepink take advantage of lax campus policies to infect campus life. These organizations and the propaganda machines out of Tehran and Doha are intent on harming America. They do so by sowing seeds of unrest and division in our vital institutions, as well as in the media and social media. Administrators must use their platforms to educate students about the dangers of social media and about the importance of independent journalism. Administrators must also reassert themselves as the gatekeepers to truth. They can only do so when they reject the anti-Western propaganda so many of their students embrace.

These protestors’ real agenda is to undermine American institutional life and in the 2023-2024, they succeeded. Harvard, MIT, Columbia, UPenn, UCLA, and countless others paid a heavy price. They failed to protect their students and for doing so, they were rightfully shamed in the public arena. If other institutions want to avoid the same fate, they must tactfully and strategically weed out the antisemitism and anti-Americanism in their midst.

This academic year is a great opportunity for American universities to reclaim their institutional gravitas. In words and actions, university leadership must boldly protect their Jewish students.

If they write the wrongs of the past year, stand firm in reasserting their place as the citadels of American education, the history books will be kinder. And Jews and all Americans will benefit.

Presidents, administrators, teachers, and students must decide – will they continue to contribute to the obsolescence of the American university throughout appeasement of outside forces and radical students? Or will they rebuild American academic life?

Sometimes, things must get worse to get better. Let’s hope last year on college campus was the worst it could get.