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Jonathan S. Tobin

Jonathan S. Tobin

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of the Jewish News Syndicate, a senior contributor for The Federalist, a columnist for Newsweek and a contributor to many other publications. He covers the American political scene, foreign policy, the U.S.-Israel relationship, Middle East diplomacy, the Jewish world and the arts. He hosts the JNS “Think Twice” podcast, both the weekly video program and the “Jonathan Tobin Daily” program, which are available on all major audio platforms and YouTube. Previously, he was executive editor, then senior online editor and chief political blogger, for Commentary magazine. Before that, he was editor-in-chief of The Jewish Exponent in Philadelphia and editor of the Connecticut Jewish Ledger. He has won more than 60 awards for commentary, art criticism and other writing. He appears regularly on television, commenting on politics and foreign policy. Born in New York City, he studied history at Columbia University.

The equestrian sculpture of George Washington at the center of Washington Circle, on the boundary of the Foggy Bottom and West End neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., June 17, 2010. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Editor-in-Chief
The problem when revisionist history becomes official dogma
As with Israelis who validated the “nakba” narrative, the effort to cast America as incorrigibly racist has more dangerous consequences than just vandalizing statues.
June 22, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
U.S. President Barack Obama talks with Vice President Joe Biden, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon (center) and Biden's National Security Advisor Antony Blinken (left) in the Oval Office on Nov. 4, 2010. Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.
Editor-in-Chief
Return to the status quo on Iran nukes isn’t enough
Biden’s adviser says he will keep sanctions in place until Iran returns to the nuclear deal. But merely restoring an agreement that gave Tehran a path to a weapon won’t work.
June 19, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
Protesters gather outside of the Cup Foods store in Minneapolis, near the site where George Floyd, 46, was killed at the hands of a police officer, May 26, 2020. Credit: Lorie Shaull via Wikimedia Commons.
Editor-in-Chief
Don’t blame George Floyd’s death on a Palestinian shopkeeper
“The New York Times” compares the store owner in the George Floyd case to Jews. They didn’t mean it as a compliment.
June 18, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
Googleplex Headquarters, San Jose, Calif. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Editor-in-Chief
The true face of the authoritarian threat
The ADL’s boycott of Facebook over its refusal to censor political ads sounds high-minded but, like Google’s suppression of conservatives, it’s a threat to free speech.
June 17, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
Chelsea Handler. Source: YouTube.
Editor-in-Chief
Why can’t you get canceled for anti-Semitism?
As careers are ruined for often-wrongful accusations of racism, Ilhan Omar remains untouchable, despite her anti-Semitism. The same will be true for Chelsea Handler.
June 16, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba. Credit: Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
Editor-in-Chief
Will Israel’s West Bank move torpedo normalization with the Arab world?
An article by a Gulf state diplomat warns that Netanyahu’s plans will endanger diplomatic breakthroughs, one of his greatest achievements. Is that a good reason to change course?
June 15, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
The Arch of Titus in Rome. The arch contains panels depicting the triumphal procession celebrated in 71 C.E. after the Roman victory culminating in the fall of Jerusalem, which is mourned on the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av. Credit: Flickr.
Editor-in-Chief
Tear it down? No. Stand up against illiberal intolerance!
Jews could play the same game and demand that monuments to anti-Semitism should be desecrated or torn down along with alleged racists. But we shouldn’t.
June 12, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the 2018 AIPAC Policy Conference. Credit: Haim Zach/GPO.
Editor-in-Chief
If AIPAC isn’t supporting Israel’s government, what is its purpose?
By distancing itself from Jerusalem on annexation, the lobby is creating a crisis for the pro-Israel community, no matter who wins the next U.S. election.
June 11, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and, at right, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) in Jerusalem. Credit: GPO/Kobi Gideon.
Editor-in-Chief
Can Pro-Israel Democrats hold off an AOC clone?
The left’s effort to take down New York Rep. Eliot Engel will be a test case for the ability of the party establishment to keep a pro-Israel veteran in a majority minority district.
June 10, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
A Black Lives Matter protest against police brutality in St. Paul, Minn., in 2015. Credit: Fibonacci Blue via Wikimedia Commons.
Editor-in-Chief
Cancel culture comes to the Conference of Presidents
The left’s attempt to expel the ZOA because its leader took issue with the Black Lives Matter movement is more evidence of the spread of an out-of-control outrage mob.
June 9, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
Kippahs in all sizes, material and colors. Credit: Wikipedia.
Editor-in-Chief
Jews come in all colors, but they shouldn’t be defined by race alone
The claim that Jews of color are being undercounted is more than an arcane demographic dispute. It’s part of an effort to hijack the national Jewish agenda.
June 8, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that he was going to seek to cut the budget for the LA Police Department by $100 million to $150 million. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Editor-in-Chief
Defund the police? Only if you’re willing to sacrifice Jewish security
The obligation to pursue justice is not negotiable. Neither is the rule of law. Jews and all minorities need both to feel safe.
June 5, 2020
Jonathan S. Tobin
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