Articles by Ted Deutch

The United States has long been regarded as a safe harbor for Jews because of our country's commitment to democracy and our values of individual rights, liberty, and equality. In this environment, Jewish communities have been able to grow and thrive. But today, extremism and division are tearing at the fabric of our society.

As one of the American Jewish leaders who often feel the need to reaffirm and assert Israel’s right to exist, I can tell you that is because Israel is the only state whose right to exist is regularly challenged, not because I hold the country to a lesser standard.

As we begin the 119th Congress and President Trump’s second term, I urge everyone to recognize the bipartisan work displayed between senior officials in the outgoing Biden Administration and the then-incoming Trump Administration to make a breakthrough in an agreement to secure the release of 33 of the remaining hostages brutally abducted from Israel during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. We cannot take for granted the unique power of senior officials from the Biden and Trump administrations working together.

When word came that a deal had been reached that would provide a pathway for the release of the 98 hostages still held by terrorists in Gaza, I felt relieved, but I could not yet celebrate. Of course, I will enthusiastically welcome the return of the hostages and the end of the torture they have endured over the last 15 months. But until every hostage is returned home, we cannot rest.

As world leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly next week, there should be one item that tops their agenda: Condemn Hamas for the atrocities of Oct. 7 and demand the release of the hostages.

All across the country and around the world, the Jewish community gathered earlier this month in profound grief and solidarity to honor the memory of those taken from us by an act of pure evil committed by Hamas terrorists. We stood together, united in our sorrow and determination, that the lives of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alex Lubnov and Ori Danino will not be forgotten, and that no other living hostage will meet the same fate.

AJC CEO Ted Deutch’s Statement and Call to Action After Hamas’ Murder of Six Hostages

With the Islamic Republic of Iran on the brink of developing nuclear weapons and dragging the entire region toward a full-scale war, the US, Europe, and their allies need an urgent policy review to confront the regime’s clear and present danger to global security. It is time to move beyond diplomacy and defense, and take concrete actions to thwart Iranian aggression. The US must rally a global coalition to forcefully counter Iran’s conventional, terror, and nuclear threats.

Meta, who owns Facebook and Instagram, is the only social media company that is preventing ‘Zionist’ from being used as hate speech

At AJC’s Global Forum 2024 last month, the AJC and The Jewish Agency announced a new partnership to strengthen the ties between young Jewish American leaders and Israeli emissaries. In the short term, it will lead to more informed and passionate advocates for Israel; provide training for shlichim (Israeli emissaries) to better understand the challenges facing Jewish American teens; and foster greater understanding between American Jews and Israelis. In the long term, this partnership has the potential to build lifelong relationships between Israel and the future leaders of American Jewry.

The world has become increasingly perilous in recent years. First, Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine shook European and global security. Then, the horrific attacks by Iran-backed Hamas on October 7 against innocent Israeli civilians marked not only a new level of antisemitic and terrorist horror but also opened a seven-front war of survival for the Jewish state.

American history is full of Jewish heroes — famous names like Albert Einstein, Sandy Koufax, and Stan Lee. But during Jewish American History Month, and on Memorial Day, I am most inspired by the many American Jews who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and courage while serving in our country’s military. People who exemplify patriotism. People, in other words, who remind me of my dad.

Since Oct. 7, students and faculty on college campuses around the country have been expressing blatant support for Hamas terror tactics, advocating for excluding Zionists from campus spaces and chanting antisemitic slogans. But in recent weeks we have seen an alarming escalation from deeply problematic and hateful speech to chaotic disruptions to threats of violence.

In March, demonstrators barged into a Columbia Law School luncheon for admitted students, chanting virulently anti-Israel and abusive rhetoric. The school administrators present did not object or call campus security.

Iran's aerial assault on Israel involved some 320 attack drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. It was the act of a regime fully committed to annihilating the Jewish State.

For the last six months, since Oct. 7, I have heard one question over and over — from elected officials, the Jewish community, university students and their parents, allies: How do we combat this terrifying surge in antisemitism? What can we do to protect American Jews on college campuses, in high schools, on city streets and in our houses of worship? Thanks to Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Reps. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.), the co-chairs of the Senate and House Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism, we have an answer for our government: Pass the Countering Antisemitism Act.

Ominous headlines about the Israel-Hamas war, antisemitic condemnations from world leaders and South Africa’s outrageous genocide allegations before the International Court of Justice could easily lead one to believe that Israel is isolated on the world stage.

We have a national antisemitism crisis, and it affects Jews every day — on the streets, at school, at work, online and everywhere in between.

The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, released in May 2023, can't be seen as just a list of suggestions. These are requirements that must be urgently followed through and built upon.

On October 7, 2023, the music industry suffered the deadliest event in its history when more than 400 people were brutally murdered and kidnapped at the Nova Music Festival in Israel. The event was billed as a celebration of “unity and love.” We should honor that spirit this weekend at The Grammys.

One hundred days after the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, why do Jewish Americans feel unsafe? It’s because we’ve seen this before.