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Ben Cohen. Credit: Courtesy.

Ben Cohen

Ben Cohen is a research fellow with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), specializing in international organizations, Europe-Middle East relations and global antisemitism/anti-Zionism. A London-born journalist with 30 years of experience, he previously worked for BBC World and has contributed to Commentary, The Wall Street Journal, Tablet and Congressional Quarterly. He was a senior correspondent at The Algemeiner for more than a decade and is a weekly columnist for JNS. Cohen has reported from conflict zones worldwide and held leadership roles at the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. His books include Some of My Best Friends: A Journey Through 21st Century Antisemitism.

The central task now is to understand what the New York City mayor’s game really is.
Antisemitism simmers within the world body, most notably these days in the actions and words of Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the “occupied Palestinian territories.”
The fact remains that what brings the democratic allies together is worth far more than the issues dividing them.
No matter how much he sugarcoats his words with assurances of affection for Israel and reminders of his Jewish identity, Ed Miliband’s message to Jerusalem is an unremittingly hostile one.
Are we supposed to conclude that antisemitism, which history has proved time and again is innately genocidal, is a minor irritant when compared to our collective carbon footprint?
Potential successors would be advised to start mentally preparing themselves now to take on the role of “Global-Villain-in-Chief.”
Rarely has a foreign conflict with virtually no impact on people’s livelihoods, quality of healthcare, educational opportunities for their children and so forth exercised such sway over domestic politics.
What is unmistakable is the depth of loathing for the Islamic Republic among its long-suffering citizens: At 71%, “dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic” was the top reason for joining protests, according to a survey.
The New York City mayor will count on a well-established playbook by anti-Israeli protesters to attempt to upend the prime minister’s visit.
They construct their history in much the same way as the Palestinians: noble victims cheated and persecuted by those in power.
No question, we have a fight on our hands here. Yet it is one we enter into armed with hope.
It may be that left-wingers feel that by joining in with the “genocide” rhetoric, they are creating the conditions for a Jewish communal life dissociated from Zionism and Israel that will be respected by their non-Jewish comrades.