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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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Israeli parliament members during a vote on a bill to dissolve the current Knesset in Jerusalem, May 29, 2019. Credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Is this the start of the post-Netanyahu era?
Avigdor Lieberman’s thwarting the formation of a new government after a decisive election only makes sense if you believe that stopping the prime minister justifies any tactic, no matter how cynical.
May. 30, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Trump
From the Editor-in-Chief
Middle East peace can’t be bought. But can Trump change the conversation?
While the administration’s plans won’t persuade the Palestinians to talk, the economic focus of the effort might alter the way the world thinks about peace.
May. 29, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
The Brandenburg Gate Berlin, Germany, May 15, 2016. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90.
From the Editor-in-Chief
The problem in Germany is about more than a ‘kipah’
A German official’s admission that Jews are at risk is just the tip of the iceberg of a rising tide of European anti-Semitism fueled by both right-wing and Muslim hatred.
May. 28, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Herman Wouk. Credit: Screenshot.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Herman Wouk and the Jew in the public square
His popular novels explored war and exemplified conservative American values. And yet, he also set an example about being faithful to Judaism while living in the world.
May. 24, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Jewish demonstrators outside the ICE offices in Burlington, Mass., protest against the Trump administration's immigration policies. Source: Bend the Arc via Facebook.
From the Editor-in-Chief
What happens when Israel is your lowest priority?
A new poll shows that Jews are overwhelmingly against Trump. But it also hints at a coming demographic shift that may eventually change the math.
May. 23, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) speaks at an Iftar in Austin, Texas. Source: Screenshot.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Is it Ilhan Omar’s Democratic Party now?
The battle to isolate the unapologetic pro-BDS user of anti-Semitic tropes has been lost. That leaves pro-Israel Democrats with some uncomfortable questions.
May. 22, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Rev. Al Sharpton speaking at the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center conference in Washington, D.C. on May 20, 2019. Credit: RAC.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Can Reform’s embrace of Al Sharpton be justified?
The desire for an ally against Trump is no excuse for giving a platform to a former agent of hate who only opposes one variety of anti-Semites.
May. 21, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
U.S. President Donald Trump announcing America’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal on May 8, 2018. Credit: Screenshot.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Don’t blame Israel for the Iran war scare
Those seeking to make the Jews the scapegoat for a conflict with the Islamist regime are just as wrong as those who failed to see the threat to peace in the nuclear deal.
May. 20, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
The special issue of the Summer 2019 edition of “Israel Studies,” titled “Word Crimes: Reclaiming the Language of the Israel-Palestinian Conflict.”
From the Editor-in-Chief
Is there room in the academy for honest scholarship on Israel?
The smearing of scholars for publishing a journal that examined misleading attacks on the Jewish state exposes the intellectual dishonesty of academic Israel-bashers.
May. 17, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Nakba
From the Editor-in-Chief
Palestinians need to rethink the ‘nakba,’ not refight it
Rashida Tlaib’s Holocaust comments after decades of a failed peace process demonstrate that Palestinians must understand the role their choices played in the tragedy.
May. 16, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Vaccinations are a must to prevent measles. Credit: Pixabay.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Jews aren’t the only victims of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories
While haredi Jews have become the face of a flat earth-style campaign that’s behind a deadly measles outbreak, other communities can be just as misguided.
May. 15, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
Mayor Pete Buttigieg addresses a Victory Fund National Champagne Brunch, Washington, DC, on April 7, 2019. Photo by Ted Eytan/Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons License.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Not all criticism of Jews is anti-Semitic dog-whistling
Pete Buttigieg doesn’t like the way a GOP mega-donor spends his money. Republicans should also be able to oppose Democratic moneybags without being called anti-Semites.
May. 14, 2019
Jonathan S. Tobin
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