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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 soldiers and police inspect the scene of a shooting attack at the entrance to the Israeli settlement of Givat Asaf, in the West Bank, on Dec. 13, 2018. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90.
From the Editor-in-Chief
A distinct lack of Jewish outrage
In recent weeks, Israel has faced rocket attacks, terror tunnels and deadly shootings. Why aren’t American Jews more upset about it?
Dec. 13, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
Last October in Jerusalem, friends and family members look at pictures of terror victims Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin during the shiva mourning period. The Henkins were shot dead by a Palestinian terrorist while the parents were driving with four of their children. The children survived the attack. Credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Security cooperation or justice?
An effort to weaken U.S. anti-terror legislation for the sake of funding the Palestinian Authority raises difficult questions about competing interests.
Dec. 12, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
From the Editor-in-Chief
Is Ocasio-Cortez really Jewish?
The elected congresswoman’s Jewish possible ancestors shouldn’t be a problem for anyone. But the idea that her leftist stands are somehow authentically Jewish is troubling.
Dec. 11, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas addresses the U.N. General Assembly, Sept. 27, 2018. Photo by Cia Pak/U.N. Photo.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Despite UN vote, Palestinian terror is still a losing strategy
Israel’s foes scored a tactical victory in New York, but their defense of terror is marginalizing them, not the Jewish state.
Dec. 10, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
French Israelis light memorial candles as they gather at Paris Square in Jerusalem in a demonstration against anti-Semitism in France following the murder of Mireille Knoll, an 85-year-old Jewish woman in Paris, March 28, 2018. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Anti-Semites and their Jewish apologists
Jewish foes of Israel want to redefine Jew-hatred in order to give anti-Zionists a pass. Decent people on the left and the right shouldn’t let them get away with it.
Dec. 7, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
The head of the IDF’s Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Yoel Strik, meets with UNIFIL Commander Gen. Stefano Del Col of Italy, for a tour of the area of a cross-border attack tunnel from Lebanon into Israel, Dec. 6, 2018. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit.
Opinion
Hezbollah’s war on Israel takes precedence over the war on Bibi
Accusations that Netanyahu is “wagging the dog” by highlighting Hezbollah’s terror tunnels undermines his critics’ credibility.
Dec. 6, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). Source: Screenshot.
Opinion
The mission to ‘Palestine’ will hurt J Street, not AIPAC
Rashida Tlaib’s pro-BDS effort will be a test of strength for the Democrats’ noisy anti-Israel faction and a potential body blow to liberal Zionists.
Dec. 5, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
Chief Justice William Rehnquist administers the oath of office to President George H. W. Bush during inaugural ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 1989. Credit: Library of Congress.
From the Editor-in-Chief
When pro-Israel voters held a president accountable
President George H.W. Bush’s life reminds us that character counts. But his re-election campaign illustrated what happens when pro-Israel voters get mad.
Dec. 4, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
A 19th-century depiction of Judah Maccabee in Die Bibel in Bildern. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
From the Editor-in-Chief
American Jewry’s Hanukkah hypocrisy?
A “New York Times” column misunderstands the nature of the conflict the Festival of Lights commemorates.
Dec. 3, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
The American flag. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
From the Editor-in-Chief
The complicated truth about the U.S.-Israel alliance
Trump scared some people when he said that America might stay in the Middle East because of Israel, not oil. Was he wrong to say so?
Nov. 30, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
Marc Lamont Hill in 2008. Credit: Wayne Riley via Wikimedia Commons.
From the Editor-in-Chief
How not to normalize anti-Semitism
By firing Marc Lamont Hill because of his support for terror and the destruction of Israel, CNN set a standard that needs to be emulated.
Nov. 29, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
The border wall between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
From the Editor-in-Chief
The border analogy problem
Why comparing Central American asylum-seekers to the Holocaust won’t help them or fix America’s broken immigration system.
Nov. 28, 2018
Jonathan S. Tobin
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