When Will “Sideline” Jews Finally Stand Up Against Their Opponents?
Actions taken by the Trump administration to combat the pervasive antisemitism present on American college campuses have finally provided Jews with something that the Biden-Harris White House frustratingly neglected — a feeling that Washington is genuinely addressing this urgent issue.
The appointment of veteran civil rights attorney Leo Terrell to lead the Department of Justice’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism; the suspension of $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University; assertions from new Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon calling for the safeguarding of Jewish students; and the contentious arrest and potential deportation of anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil all underscore Trump’s commitment to ensuring Jewish security through legal and prosecutorial measures.
Numerous American Jews have welcomed Trump’s assertive approach, and rightfully so. A January report from the NYPD indicated that Jews were the target of nearly 350 hate crimes in New York City last year — more than all other minority groups combined. (In contrast, there were only 43 reported incidents of Islamophobia during the same timeframe).
On a national level, antisemitic incidents rose by over 200% following Hamas’s incursion into southern Israel in October 2023, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
While some Jewish groups applaud the Trump administration’s crackdown, civil liberties organizations are calling for Khalil’s release, asserting that the green card holder and legal permanent resident has been detained “unconstitutionally.”
However, beyond the current uproar, the White House’s anti-antisemitism initiative signifies a much more significant opportunity at this precarious moment: for Jews — both in the US and globally — to increasingly (and finally) advocate for their safety.
Indeed, while the period following October 7 has seen a rise in “accidental activists” determined to fight antisemitism, many Jews have opted to remain on the sidelines: silent, fearful, anxious, and uncertain. Others, such as author Peter Beinart and filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, have utilized their public platforms to criticize Israel — seemingly holding the Jewish state responsible for the current antisemitism crisis.
At a time when Jewish solidarity has never been more crucial, many Jews are exacerbating divisions that are exploited by groups who call for “intifada” and prevent Jewish college students from attending classes.
This situation is not entirely unexpected. Few minority groups have been as supportive of or invested in left-leaning ideologies like DEI and other racial preference initiatives as American Jews. In fact, during the peak of the #BlackLivesMatter protests in August 2020, over 600 Jewish organizations signed an open letter published in The New York Times endorsing the pro-black social justice movement. This occurred despite the perplexing adoption by BLM leadership of anti-Zionist rhetoric in its foundational 2016 manifesto, which labeled Israel an “apartheid state” and accused it of perpetrating “genocide.”
Meanwhile, on university campuses, DEI leaders like former University of Michigan administrator Rachel Dawson have allegedly characterized Jewish students as “wealthy and privileged,” suggesting they have little need for the institutional support her office provides to other minority groups.
The outcome: Jews have been silenced by an overreaching identity politics framework that has reaped benefits from their philanthropy without reciprocating support.
Indeed, even amid the controversy surrounding author Ta-Nehisi Coates’ recent book, “The Message,” many Jews privately criticized its antisemitic elements, yet expressed fear of being “canceled” or labeled “racist” if they spoke out publicly against his writing.
A significant part of this apprehension is linked to activist judicial systems that have failed to prosecute those who promote anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiments. For example, almost all of the Columbia University students arrested during last year’s protests were permitted to return to classes, and nearly all had their charges dismissed by Manhattan prosecutors. This impunity and lack of accountability is precisely what the new Trump initiatives aim to address, along with the intimidation and silencing that have accompanied them.
While Khalil’s fate remains uncertain, the White House has made it clear that the antisemitic surge seen during the Biden-Harris administration must be curbed. They are providing the necessary support to ensure this happens. However, the White House can only do so much; ultimately, Jews must voice their needs — ensuring their safety is prioritized — just like other minority groups they have vocally championed.
There is no more powerful weapon for Hamas and its global supporters than the silence of Jews. Therefore, the time for Jewish hesitance has passed. Whether one supports Trump or not, if he is committed to defending Jews globally, those Jews — even those on the sidelines — must do the same.
dkaufman@nypost.com
