Opinion

• Opinion

  Netanyahu And Trump Are Xenophobic Tyrants. We Must Resist Them – Together.

  For American Jews, the recent resurgence of American nativism recalls the worst moments of the last century. American nativism brought us the Immigration Act of 1924, a racist law that closed America’s borders to Jews and other “undesirables,” and that ultimately barred our forebears from escaping the Nazis and finding refuge in America. Jews then…

  By Deborah Waxman, and Jill Jacobs, and Libby Lenkinski

  4 min read
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  Opinion

  It’s Official: Al Franken Was The Victim Of #MeToo Overreach

  In the latest #MeToo news, veteran New Yorker reporter Jane Mayer has published a lengthy investigative story that appears to vindicate Al Franken, the former Democratic Senator from Minnesota who resigned in 2017 under a barrage of sexual misconduct charges. Mayer’s conservative critics have accused her of partisan bias, especially in view of her (they…

  By Cathy Young Jul 23, 2019 | 6 min read
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  Opinion

  Stop Blaming Women For The Bad Behavior Of Men Like Al Franken

  It was late fall 2017 when the Democratic Party was rocked by allegations of sexual misconduct against Al Franken, a well-liked senator who owed much of his fame to a long stint on Saturday Night Live. Franken stood accused of unwanted touching. Before long, eight women had come forward with startlingly similar accounts of unwelcome…

  By Tema Smith Jul 23, 2019 | 6 min read

Columnists View All

• Jodi Rudoren This is my last column as editor of the Forward

  

• Jay Michaelson I supported Israel’s actions in Gaza in October 2023 — not anymore

  

• Rob Eshman The staggering hypocrisy behind Trump’s deal to free the last living American hostage

  

• Nora Berman How the Oct. 7 aftermath splintered the New York Dyke March

  

• Dan Perry It looks like Israel totally underestimated Trump

  

• Emily Tamkin This week proved it: Trump’s approach to antisemitism at Columbia is horribly ineffective

  

The Latest

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  Letters

  Letter | No, The ZOA’s Trips Don’t Bribe Jews To Be Pro-Israel

  Dear Editor, Last week, a story was published in these pages about campus trips to Israel run by the Zionist Organization of America. It wrongly argued that the ZOA is bribing young Jews to be pro-Israel. In truth, American Jews do not need to be bribed to be pro-Israel; plenty of American Jews — and…

  By Mark Levenson Jul 22, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  RIP: An Obituary For Israel’s Labor Party

  For Israel’s erstwhile ruling party, it indeed ends with a whimper. Shelly Yacimovich, the Labor Party’s former chairwoman and popular public figure, has said she will not run in September’s snap elections. Her announcement followed the triumph of Amir Peretz over two much younger opponents in the party’s leadership contest earlier this month. All of…

  By Daniel Samet Jul 22, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Ilhan Omar’s Pro-BDS Bill Is Gaining Momentum – Thanks To A Surprising Supporter

  Last week, freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar announced the introduction of a new resolution protecting the right to boycott in the United States. A response to the 25 states which have passed laws curtailing the right to participate in the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement targeting Israel, Omar introduced H.Res.496 along with Representative Rashida Tlaib, who,…

  By Ariel Gold Jul 22, 2019 | 4 min read
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  Opinion

  Jewish Tradition Dictates Fasting To Oppose Tyrants. We Should Fast To Overcome Trump.

  “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish,…

  By Joshua Peck Jul 22, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  AOC’s Squad Is Being Targeted For Calling Out Our Hateful Immigration Policies

  Our country has a long, sordid history of telling black and brown people and other racial minorities to “go back to where they came from.” The “America: Love it or leave it leave it” sentiment reeks of racism and xenophobia, in that it prioritizes the idea that America is a country for white people. In…

  By Sandra Lawson Jul 19, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  Want To ‘Send Omar Back’? That’s What The Nazis Did

  Since Sunday morning, President Trump has been on an endless tirade suggesting that four Congresswomen – Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib, all women of color – are un-American. Conflating Pressley, Tlaib, and Ocasio-Cortez, all U.S. born citizens, with Omar, a Somali refugee, Trump suggested that all four “go back” to the…

  By Batya Ungar-Sargon Jul 18, 2019 | 3 min read
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  Opinion

  The Absolute Hypocrisy Of Republicans Using Jews To Attack The Squad

  Senator Lindsey Graham went on television and proclaimed that Congressional House Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Ilhan Omar are a “bunch of communists.” He called them Anti-Semites, and said they “hate Israel.” Graham is now the latest addition to a lineup of would-be “Jewish Defenders” who have lobbed attacks at these women…

  By Rochelle Swartz Jul 18, 2019 | 5 min read
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  Opinion

  Ilhan Omar’s Pro-BDS Bill Is Important. But She’s The Wrong Person To Fight For It.

  All week, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has been subject to a racist Twitter tirade from the President of the United States, which culminated last night in President Trump beaming as his supporters chanted “send her back.” “Send her back” chant breaks out at the Trump rally when he talks about Omar pic.twitter.com/JFZHc7eaOc — Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence)…

  By Abe Silberstein Jul 18, 2019 | 3 min read