In a stunning display of moral cowardice and historical amnesia, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom would formally recognize a so-called “Palestinian state.” This decision, coming alongside similar moves by Canada and Australia, is a reward for decades of terrorism against Jews in Israel and around the world and a permission structure for more violence. This is not just a diplomatic blunder or an antisemitic proclamation; it is a deliberate willingness to ignore the reality of the world to placate the more radical and insane members of British society.

The Jewish month of Elul is a month of introspection. Jews all over the world begin preparing for the Jewish New Year and for the holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Many of us wake up early or go to sleep late, adding prayers that focus on repentance and forgiveness. On Rosh HaShanah we hear the call of the shofar and tremble as we are judged for the year that follows. Whether observant or nonobservant, most Jewish Israelis are deeply moved by these Days of Awe. Never has this been truer than as we celebrate the coming of 5786.

Charles James Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and conservative influencer, was murdered during a college event in Utah last week. He was assassinated for spreading conservative and pro-American ideas and messages to younger generations. This is the most prominent assassination of a political activist since Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, and the nation has lost a giant of unprecedented proportions because of it. Charlie leaves behind a wife and two children.

Governor Kathy Hochul, in a desperate attempt to fend off a primary challenger in next year’s gubernatorial election, has endorsed socialist Zohran Mamdani to be the next mayor of New York City. This feckless and cowardly endorsement unmasks the bald truth of today’s Democratic Party — that they are ideologically captured by far-left, progressive, anti-American, anti–Western civilization socialists, and they have no clue how to stop it.

The fact that the Jewish people are a minority brings with it unique and inherent risks. That minority status exposes us to dangers that others can afford to overlook.
The question is not whether Jewish communities need to protect themselves – the question is how.

Unfounded rumors of Mayor Eric Adams dropping out of his bid for re-election to take a job in the Trump administration gave the sane community of New York City and the surrounding areas some hope. Unfortunately, Adams’ much-ballyhooed presser was merely a commitment to stay in the race, thus splitting the opposition to socialist/certified lunatic Zohran Mamdani and all but ensuring his victory.