Alex Joffe

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Nov 28, 2016, 6:43 AM

American Jews and the Democratic Party: Coda

Party leaders rarely receive the same attention as party candidates, but the proposal for Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison to head the Democratic National Committee (DNC) marks a turning point in US politics. Ellison stands on the far left of the...

Aug 31, 2016, 4:09 AM

Why the origins of the BDS movement matter

A recent film clip showing ex-Israeli academic Ilan Pappé has raised eyebrows. Asked whether it was Palestinians who launched the BDS campaign in 2005 Pappé conceded, “Not really, but yes. OK. For historical records, yes.” Both Israel supporters and...

Jun 8, 2016, 11:39 PM

Why Millennials Dislike Israel

Many have taken notice of the recent Pew poll that shows decreasing support for Israel among millennials. Overall the poll showed solid American support for Israel; 54% sympathize more with Israel than with the Palestinians, while only 19% said...

Oct 14, 2015, 11:12 AM

Sadism and Masochism in International Culture

Do cultures have personalities, meaningful collections of attitudes and behaviors? If so, what does the ongoing wave of stabbings of Israelis –elderly passersby, strangers on buses, boys on bikes, infants in carriages- say about Palestinian culture? Who are they,...

Sep 9, 2015, 5:48 PM

Europe, Migrants, and the Jewish Question

Welcoming the huddled masses is a convenient way to absolve Holocaust guilt while finally getting rid of the Jews

Aug 3, 2015, 2:35 PM

Why Empower Iran?

Unless the US Congress votes in opposition, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action deal with Iran with go through. What really happened and why did it happen the way it did? What happened is gradually becoming clear. It is revealed...

Jul 14, 2015, 5:54 PM

The Deal with Iran: How to Make Lemonade out of Lemons

It is always perilous to predict what future historians will say. But regarding the nuclear deal with Iran it is likely historians will observe the remarkable fact that at the moment of its greatest weakness, Iran’s enemies suddenly reversed...

Feb 5, 2015, 7:59 PM

Why Don’t the British Like Israel?

A recent poll showed that Britons regarded Israel less favorably than any other country besides North Korean. The results came as a shock to Israelis and supporters of Israel, but they shouldn’t have. After all, British supporters of the...

Oct 29, 2014, 1:43 AM

The New Context of US-Israel Relations

Historically, remarks about Israel by State Department spokespersons, or White House officials, or even the President or Secretary of State, must be read in a complex political context. They are efforts to persuade and reassure, goad and challenge, or...

May 3, 2014, 7:27 PM

Why Negotiations Collapsed – American Perceptions and Future Indications

Effective foreign policy requires a balance between the predictable and the unpredictable. Alliances require careful maintenance and no surprises while adversarial relationships sometimes require unpredictable responses. It is the unique gift of the Obama administration to have reversed this...

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About Me

Alex Joffe is a historian and archaeologist. He is a Shillman-Ginsburg Fellow of the Middle East Forum.