July 28, 2024

This coming Wednesday night, in the heart of Times Square, the new Roman Forum at the heart of the American global empire, we will be staging a massive outdoor celebration for the IDF beginning at 6pm. It will feature the Israeli Army’s most famous and accomplished global spokesperson, Colonel (Res.) Jonathan Conricus, whom we all watch in astonishment nearly every night on CNN, FOX, and MSNBC as he defends Israel’s warriors with eloquence, facts, and courage.

Jonathan is a Jewish hero, the very best spokesman the IDF has, and when I secured his participation, upon my recent trip to Israel to visit our two soldier sons, Mendy and Yosef, who are at war (may God protect them and all the IDF), I decided that this could be no normal speech. We first quickly booked the parents of Gaza IDF hostage Omer Neutra (22), who last week met with President Biden and PM Netanyahu, and international Jewish singing sensation Gad Elbaz. We also secured, to introduce Col. Conricus, the former Chief Global Spokesperson of the United States Military and the Pentagon Dana White to introduce him. But the venue was critical. It had to be at the very epicenter of antisemitism in America, Times Square.

Yes, that Times Square. The one that gets 1 million people every New Year’s eve to watch a ball drop. The Times Square that is the singular crossroads of world popular culture. A place that has been taken over by anti-Israel activists almost immediately after October 7^th, even as it’s the most famous square in a city with more Jews in it than any city on earth including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

How did this happen? How did Times Square become Gaza city and Rafah? And did the Jews allow it?

The normal argument about why Jews are so hated is that we’re too small to combat 1.4 billion Muslims who sympathize with “Palestine” and Hamas. But what is our excuse in New York City where we outnumber our Muslim brothers and sisters but perhaps a 100 to one?

This past Saturday night I went through what has become the unacceptable routine of going to Times Square and being surrounded by an intimidating and dangerous pro-Hamas mob screaming, right in face, “Free Palestine,” both because I was wearing a Yarmulke and because they recognized me from my pro-Israel activism, TV debates, and social media. Watch the video on Instagram. And you’ll see how I was lulled into a supposedly civil conversation but an Israel hater while I was slowly surrounded by an intimidating mob. I will not here reveal whether or not I travel with security, but I will say that had the NYPD not been in the Square, it’s doubtful I would have survived to be writing right now.

Times Square is not only Ground Zero of America’s most colorful video screens. It’s the most famous square on earth. Given its centrality, , our Arab brothers and sisters, always cognizant of what constitutes the most powerful of all PR coups (and boy are they experts at it!), have made Times Square their home.

Go on any given night and, but especially on weekends, and you will see scores of young Arab and Muslim men and women right smack in the middle. Now, Muslims are my brothers, so what would I care? Well, because if you’re wearing a yarmulke, or a Star of David, you are a magnet and an immediate target. Stand for a few minutes and like bees to the honey, it will begin. “Free Palestine.” “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Freed.” And, more occasionally but all too common, “Death to Israel.”

A few months ago I was verbally assaulted and then actually attacked – get this, but a little girl! – who spat on me and kicked me while her Muslim parents laughed and egged her on, all video taped and uploaded onto social media. Then, their older daughter who said she was 14 and therefore she could not be prosecuted (which just shows the corruption of youth and how they are coached to express their hatred of Jews) told me “Kill Yourself” over and over again. The next day tennis legend Martina Navratilova, having seem the video on my Instagram, sent the video globally viral when she tweeted her absolute disgust at this virulent display of Jew-hatred – “Pathetic” she railed – at the cultural crossroads of the world.

Since then I’ve had endless confrontations in Times Square. It’s worse than anything in Europe. Worse than Piccadilly Circus in London. Worse than outside the Eiffel Tower in Paris. And worse than the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Right in the heart of “Jew York City.”

So we decided it was time for the civilized world to rescue Times Square from these displays of barbarity. On Israel’s 76^th Independence Day this past May, our organization along with the ZOA brought more than 1000 people to honor Israel in one of the most celebratory and memorable nights of my life.

But this time we decided that whereas there have been vigils across the world to free the hostages from the hell of Hamas captivity, to honor the victims of the Nova massacre (we wrote a Torah for its most famous victim Shani Louk, in New York, with Robert Kennedy, Jr. completing the last letters with Shani’s parents Nissim and Ricarda, holding the scribe’s quill with him, at New York’s glass house), and for support for Israel in general, nothing had been done to honor the actual heroes who are fighting to prevent another October 7^th, and indeed another holocaust, the IDF.

We understood just how controversial this would be. We invited many public figures. All found “scheduling conflicts” to refuse our invitation. Then along came a Palestinian-American whom I met at an incredible play about the Eichmann trial at the Center for Jewish history who diffused a protest against Israel that would have ruined the play. He told me that although he is a proud Palestinian who disagrees with many Israeli policies, he believes that Israel belongs to the Jews. It’s a tiny country and he has no idea why his Palestinian brethren would deny the Jews a match-stamp size of a country. “You’re speaking at our rally!” I told him. He immediately agreed.

And then more and more speakers who loved the IDF and have waited a year to honor them, began to sign up, including incredibly musical acts headlined by Gad Elbaz, the world’s greatest Jewish singer.

Most importantly, Amichai Ressler, whose 20-year-old IDF soldier son was murdered on October 7^th when he used his body to shield two of his comrades-in-arms, agreed to speak about the sacrifice so many parents have made in losing sons and daughters in the war.

Mayor Eric Adams is a phenomenal friend of the Jewish community and Israel, like no other. And he got his office directly involved in making sure the event went ahead in Times Square. At our security walk-through this past Friday, I was gobsmacked at the amount of counter-terrorism officers, police, Federal law enforcement, Times Square Alliance executives, and members of the Mayor’s staff turned up to ensure the event – which will take place in Times Square between 45^th and 46^th street – turned up to make sure the event is secure and a success.

Now, all we need is you to join us. It’s time that the Jewish people honored its heroes. Only two groups consisting of three letters each ensures that “Never Again” is translated from slogan to sacred promise. They are G-O-D and I-D-F.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, “America’s Rabbi,” is the international best-selling author of the newly published guide to fighting back for Israel “The Israel Warrior,” “Holocaust Holiday,” and “Kosher Hate.” Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @RabbiShmuley. To book tickets to the July 31^st Celebration of the IDF in Times Square go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-to-honor-israel-with-fmr-idf-chief-international-spokesperson-tickets-943630362817

With our nation’s colleges and universities only weeks away from re-opening, we should anticipate that protests surrounding the Israeli- Hamas war will resume. Over the spring, many schools failed to effectively manage the protests and encampments and they did not hold firm to their already established rules about student conduct and disruption of the learning environment. More disturbing is that while some schools began to hold students accountable for breaking laws and school policy, by now many have now either watched local authorities wipe charges—such as at Columbia where the New York district attorney dropped charges against the students—or have simply changed their minds on punishing students, such as what has happened at Harvard. In a social media post, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and other allies proudly declared that “Harvard has caved in, showing that student intifada will always prevail.” Schools and the nation should be ready for more protests that may be even more disruptive. Not only has there been time for students and outside agitator groups to organize, coordinate, and set up legal counsel, but schools have also sent the message that students who brake campus rules and the law—from harassment to acts of violence and overt campus disruptions—will not be held accountable for these actions.

A critical question this fall will be how Jewish students—particularly the many who oppose Israel’s conduct in the Gaza War—are supposed to manage another round of protests that lack nuance. The fact of the matter is that American Jews are not at all united around Israel’s approach to managing the war against Hamas. Some American Jews support Israel fully and want to see Hamas wiped out, while others would prefer a softer approach, and still others criticize and even condemn Israel’s actions

A Pew survey conducted in February (before the massive demonstrations on college campuses) found that fully a third of American Jews view the way Israel is carrying out its response to Hamas’ October 7 attack as “unacceptable.” And that figure rises to 42% among those 18-34, far more than the 28% among those 50 and over.

Given the overall slide in Israel attachment over the age curve, it’s reasonable to assume that most Jewish undergraduates today regard Israel’s response as unacceptable. And taking matters further, the figure rejecting Israel’s conduct is undoubtedly higher among political progressives, a group that makes up a large fraction of students at Ivy League and other elite schools. By any reckoning, the vast majority of Jewish students at high-prestige campuses are critical or even highly critical of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza War.

A sense of their objections can be found in several publicized remarks by Jewishly affirming young people who claim to be moved to action by their Jewish values. To take one example: In early May, more than 750 Jewish students signed an open letter that illustrates the sentiments held by a large (but unknown) number of Jewish students. It’s totally consistent with the signs, chants and rhetoric of campus protesters:

“More than 34,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed since October 7th. Israel has killed more than 14,000 children and destroyed schools, hospitals, and all institutions of higher learning in Gaza. The Israeli government has done nothing to return the remaining 133 hostages to their families as they continue to hold thousands of Palestinian prisoners without charge. Instead, Netanyahu’s far right-wing coalition—backed by the Biden administration—has chosen to escalate the war, destruction, and loss of life. In the West Bank, full villages are being depopulated after months of settler terrorism.”

The issue now is this: In view of their own opposition to Israel’s conduct of the Gaza War—to say nothing of most of their on-campus friends’ views—how are pro-Israel/pro-ceasefire young Jews to express themselves? This past spring, the choices were polarized and extreme. The only available option for such students would have been the pro-Palestinian demonstrations led by self-declared anti-Zionists who appear to go so far as to call for the elimination of the Jewish State. At least that’s how observers have interpreted the frequently repeated chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” If current trends continue on campus, to oppose current Israeli policies, Jewish students, many with strong Jewish background, Israel experiences, and Jewishly committed parents, may have only two unappealing choices that do not reflect their views: (1) join the pro-Palestinian demonstrations with their anti-Zionist if not antisemitic messaging, or (2) remain silent.

But what if they had an alternative? What if they could denounce Israeli policies, revile its Prime Minister and his right-wing political allies, and demand a ceasefire in return for freeing the hostages, while flying Israeli flags and singing Hatikvah at their rallies’ conclusion? If they were in Tel Aviv almost any time since October 7 they could have joined tens of thousands of Israelis every Saturday night on the broad expanse of Kaplan Street—now renamed Democracy Square— and shout “Shame, shame, shame” at the mention of Bibi’s name and hear speakers demanding a ceasefire and return of the hostages immediately.

Right now, in North America or on campuses, there is no Kaplan Street option. We see only small groups, largely Israeli ex-pats and students, staging anti-war/anti-government but pro-Israel demonstrations in several cities. But what if they were to grow in number and size, augmented by passionate pro-Israel American Jews? What if left-leaning Zionist and pro-Israel groups were to actively mobilize their constituencies to participate in these expressions, such as the anti-Netanyahu protest in Washington on July 24? And what if so-called Jewish legacy organizations gave at least tacit approval and financial support to pro-Israel/anti-government protests in the U.S.? In short, what if we brought the spirit of Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street to Harvard Square, to the Columbia Quadrangle, and to scores of campuses throughout North America?

In short, what if we brought the spirit of Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street to Harvard Square, to the Columbia Quadrangle, and to scores of campuses throughout North America?

Come September, if the Gaza war continues, the pro-Palestinian demonstrations will come back in full force on campuses. We can only hope that pro-Israel students will have more options than they did this past spring. They must be able to march both in favor of a ceasefire and against the rule of anti-democratic, ultra-nationalist Israeli leadership—but as pro-Israel Jews and as Zionists. They should have the option of opposing the Israeli government and supporting the Jewish State.

They must be able to march both in favor of a ceasefire and against the rule of anti-democratic, ultra-nationalist Israeli leadership—but as pro-Israel Jews and as Zionists.

But that will be possible only if American Jewish communal leaders, philanthropists, rabbis and thought leaders join with and support the small movement of Israelis protesting the current government and the longest serving Prime Minister in Israeli history.

Given the many views held by younger Jews on college campuses, the question for the Jewish community at large is whether it can risk alienating and possibly losing younger Jews and their support of Israel by not giving them a chance to express views that may not be so popular with some segments of the community. Jews like to debate and disagree. We will continue to debate Israel and its leadership and we need to helping younger Jews express their views and discuss them even when some of us may vehemently disagree with them. Failure to recognize the divergent views of younger Jewish students on campus may push them even further away from Israel and the Jewish community. With so many in the world calling for Israel’s destruction and for the death of Jews globally, the Jewish community cannot afford to alienate those in its youngest cohort.

Samuel J. Abrams is a professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

America reached a new low this past week simultaneous with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint session of Congress. Thousands of pro-Hamas activists rioted outside the Capitol Building and scuffled with the Capital Police.

The dress rehearsal for this anti-American hatefest first took place in Dearborn, Michigan, where protesters shouted “Death to America!” on April 5. That’s the date when the United States finally joined Europeans in realizing that there is an Islamist belief system wholly incompatible with democratic self-government and the rule of law.

What followed soon thereafter was matchsticks from various locales setting the Stars and Stripes aflame. Expect an enraged ghost of Betsy Ross to make an appearance. There are simply not enough fraternity brothers from Chapel Hill, or fire extinguishers, to defend American flags nationwide.

Expect an enraged ghost of Betsy Ross to make an appearance. There are simply not enough fraternity brothers from Chapel Hill, or fire extinguishers, to defend American flags nationwide.

The spectacle in our nation’s capital last week was sickening.

American flags, and an effigy of Uncle Sam, were torched, accompanied by anti-American, antisemitic jeering on the streets. A replica of the Liberty Bell was spraypainted with, “F-ck Israel. F-ck capitalists. Abolish the USA.” More colorful and threatening graffiti was intended for Jewish-American eyes, monuments defaced with the warning, “Hamas is Coming!”

Fountains and statues desecrated with profanity. American flags yanked down at Union Station and Columbus Circle, replaced with Palestinian flags. And, of course, there were spellbound chants of “Allahu Akbar” recited throughout the day, as if the religious inclinations and violent marching orders of the protesters were not already well known.

In case progressives wished to minimize the outrage, deluding themselves that what we all witnessed was merely a peaceful assembly, the protesters wanted everyone to know that they were calling it a “Day of Rage.”

Long after Netanyahu concluded his remarks, Republican congressional lawmakers, including the Speaker of the House, and some combat veterans, restored the American flags to their rightful places. Such flag-swapping rituals have been growing since the fine people of Dearborn, where more than half its residents are Muslim, sent a message that Sharia is their preferred political system, and the Prophet Muhammad, not George Washington, their favorite general.

Let’s get one thing straight: The First Amendment protects none of this sort of expressive activity. Good luck getting the media, or law professors, to advise Americans of how the Constitution, and our Founding Fathers, would have regarded these lawless pro-Hamas scoundrels. No free speech guarantees exist to threaten Jews, strike police officers, resist arrest and destroy federal property.

Hate crime, anyone?

Predictably, few arrests were made. Those arrested were summarily released. The Department of Justice issued no statement that it was undertaking an investigation that would lead to indictments and prosecutions.

Rounding them up wouldn’t even present a problem. No facial recognition technology is necessary. In this latest phase of anti-Israel, anti-American animus, the keffiyeh scarves have come off. Many of the agitators no longer seek anonymity. They have grown more brazen and confident, knowing full well that the United States and its institutions are acting out of fear and won’t press charges.

In this latest phase of anti-Israel, anti-American animus, the keffiyeh scarves have come off. Many of the agitators no longer seek anonymity. They have grown more brazen and confident.

This is precisely what terrorists aim for—terror—and what they achieved in many Western nations.

With the presidential election imminent, and a female woman of color heading the Democratic ticket, the attorney general is undoubtedly terrified of the political ramifications of prosecuting progressives and persons of color—even persons of color who are on student visas and easily deportable. As noncitizens, they can’t even vote. No matter. Even looking at them the wrong way is racist.

Meanwhile, Harvard just announced that the roughly dozen students arrested at its intifada encampments and denied diplomas at graduation will be awarded their sheepskins after all. We wouldn’t want terrorists-in-waiting to be disadvantaged in seeking gainful employment. Think of the wonderful mayhem they will introduce to the private sector. That should make Harvard proud. Achieving equity for minorities is too important a value to punish anyone who hates America as much as they despise Israel.

More than 3,100 student activists were arrested or detained on campus this past year at 100 different colleges. Every single one of them should be expected to return to mischievous full-strength in the fall—regardless of whether they have already graduated. What could possibly be more important than intimidating Jews and giving comfort to Hamas and Iran? Antisemitic professors are eagerly awaiting their arrival. These “academics” spent the summer not writing papers but memorizing the Muslim Brotherhood playbook.

Meanwhile, nearly 500 January 6 rioters remain in prison for the crimes they committed at the nation’s capital. Does anyone have an explanation for the disparate treatment between these two riots? Are we saying that trespassing in the the Halls of Congress while carrying American flags is a far more serious act of criminality than vandalizing monuments and torching those same flags, but with the added touch of replacing them with Palestinian flags, outside the Capitol?

I don’t get it.

Yes, it’s true that Supreme Court precedent allows for anti-American flag-burning, a shameful misapplication of free speech, to my mind. Congressman Brian Mast, who lost both legs fighting for that flag, and said goodbye to far too many friends inside coffins draped in that flag, made his disgust known. But such symbolic statements must occur at peaceful assemblies, and not incite violent rioting. And the First Amendment does not privilege swapping American for Palestinian flags.

Meanwhile, inside the Rotunda, Israel’s prime minister was conducting a clinic not just in inspiring oratory, but also high-intensity aerobics—the number of rousing standing ovations he received were too numerous to count. John Fetterman even wore a suit. The outside agitators and inside lawmakers was the perfect juxtaposition of our political divide: worshippers of darkness representing one; the inheritors of the Enlightenment, the other.

To illustrate what side he was on, Netanyahu invoked America’s birthdate as the democratic shot heard around the world. But for far too many Americans, it is 1619, and not 1776, that animates their unpatriotic impulses—the date when the racist, inexorable mission of the United States was first set in motion.

Prepare yourselves. These vulgar spectacles with their open contempt for the United States are officially on tour. They are headed for a town square and village green near you. Taylor Swift’s global Eras concert may one day find itself eclipsed by an Islamist traveling show that brought our era of Western civilization to a close.

Thane Rosenbaum is a novelist, essayist, law professor and Distinguished University Professor at Touro University, where he directs the Forum on Life, Culture & Society. He is the legal analyst for CBS News Radio. His most recent book is titled “Saving Free Speech … From Itself,” and his forthcoming book is titled, “Beyond Proportionality: Is Israel Fighting a Just War in Gaza?”