REPUBLICANS ARE BETTER THAN DEMOCRATS AT KEEPING BIGOTS OUT OF THE PARTY — BUT FOR HOW LONG?

“The strategy has changed,” Gottheimer declared. “No defense, only offense.”

The comments reflected something increasingly felt by many Jewish and pro-Israel Americans: Supporters of Israel are often expected to remain in a constant state of defense while antisemitism, anti-American rhetoric, and extremist voices are treated with hesitation, caution, or silence.

That frustration is increasingly aimed not only at political extremists but at institutions and leaders many believe have become inconsistent in how they confront hatred.

Where are the louder condemnations when protests target Jewish institutions? Where is the urgency when anti-Israel activism crosses into harassment or intimidation? Why do some political and cultural figures appear more comfortable criticizing Israel than confronting antisemitism directly?

These are uncomfortable questions. But they are real ones.

For years, many Jewish Americans believed antisemitism in the U.S. existed largely on the fringes. After the brutal Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, many say that assumption no longer holds.

Instead, anti-Israeli rhetoric has intensified across college campuses, online platforms, activist movements, and parts of U.S. political discourse. Increasingly, some supporters of Israel argue that anti-Zionism itself has evolved beyond criticism of Israeli policy and into something broader: a rejection of the democratic and national principles shared by Israel and the U.S.

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and others have argued that anti-Zionist movements often target the same foundations — national sovereignty, democratic identity, individual liberty, and Western institutions — that underpin both countries.

Moskowitz captured part of that frustration directly.

“Since October 7th, what’s been happening in Jewish communities, what’s been happening in Congress, is we’ve been on the defense,” Moskowitz said. “Every day, Israel did that. How do you feel? Israel did that. What do you say?”

For Moskowitz, the issue was broader than Israel itself.

“Do you know how many times somebody has asked me about how many people are dead in the Ukraine-Russia war?” Moskowitz asked. “None.”

He also pointed to left-wing commentator Hasan Piker’s past 9/11 rhetoric as an example of what he sees as anti-American extremism too rarely challenged with equal force.

“How many times I’ve seen another member of Congress get a camera in their face to say, you know, Hassan Piker said America deserved 9/11,” Moskowitz said. “Do you know how many times I’ve seen cameras go in the face of members that are against us to defend that behavior? Never.”

Whether one agrees fully with the comparison is almost beside the point. Many Jewish Americans increasingly believe antisemitism is not being treated with the same urgency or consistency applied to other forms of hatred.

Gottheimer, meanwhile, framed the issue through the lens of the U.S.-Israel alliance and what he described as growing pressure surrounding support for Israel inside U.S. politics.

“We should be proud of the U.S.-Israel relationship, of independence, of what this relationship has done for America, and of the bipartisan, historic nature of these ties,” Gottheimer said. “And thank God we have Israel to help us fight terrorism, stand up for freedom, and stand up for democracy.”

He also acknowledged the climate surrounding those positions.

“It is not an easy time, as you may have read, to be a supporter of the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Gottheimer said. “But I just want you to know there are many of us that stand proudly every single day.”

The larger question now is how many others are willing to do the same.

Because for many Jewish Americans, the issue is no longer only what activists or commentators say. It is whether political leaders, universities, institutions, and cultural figures are willing to confront antisemitism.

Moskowitz argued that the long-standing strategy of patiently educating critics is no longer enough.

“We have to stop the defense,” Moskowitz said. “Weak, weak, weak Jews, we feel like, ‘Oh, if we just educate them, if we just give them the information, if we just talk to them, they’ll finally understand.’”

Instead, he argued for something more confrontational politically and culturally.

“We need every single one of you to stand up, fight back, and go on the offensive,” Moskowitz said. “We need to make it very clear that this will not pass.”

CORRECTING THE RECORD OF AMERICA’S FALLEN IS REAL PATRIOTISM

Antisemitism is no longer a peripheral issue discussed only after isolated incidents. It has become a defining political and cultural test, one increasingly shaping how Americans evaluate public leadership, institutional courage, and moral clarity.

“Stop apologizing and start fighting back,” Gottheimer said.

Ariella Noveck is a journalist specializing in antisemitism and Middle East affairs, with extensive experience covering Jewish communities worldwide.