The Blogs: The Hakeem Jeffries moment is great for the Jews | Joel Rubin

Joel Rubin, a former Obama administration official, argues that incoming Speaker Hakeem Jeffries will be a strong leader on Israel and antisemitism, based on a 2015 town hall where Jeffries remained calm amid hostile constituents. Rubin cites Democratic midterm victories and caucus numbers to argue the party is not being consumed by an anti-Israel faction.

Joel Rubin, a former Obama State Department official, argues that incoming Speaker of the House Hakeem Jeffries will be a strong leader on Israel and antisemitism. Rubin recounts a 2015 town hall in Brooklyn where Jeffries remained calm and respectful amid an angry crowd opposing the Iran nuclear deal, which Jeffries later supported. Rubin cites the size of the Democratic majority after the 2026 midterms as evidence that the party is not being overtaken by an anti-Israel far-left faction, noting the balance between progressive and moderate caucuses. He urges American Jews to continue fighting for their values within the Democratic tent.