Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • Travel • Writing
I will share my thoughts about American politics, as well as current events in Israel and elsewhere, based on my experiences in the U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East. I will also discuss books and popular culture from the perspective of a somewhat libertarian, religiously observant conservative living in California. I will also share art and ideas that I find useful and helpful, and link to my content at Breitbart News, Amazon, and elsewhere.
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Why I write about Israel

I've recently experienced some pushback for my views on Israel -- not the substance of my views, so much as my eagerness to write about the country at all, as it experiences its political upheaval.

The pushback comes in two forms. There are the antisemites who tell me that if I care so much about Israel, I should register as a foreign agent, and maybe even be investigated by the FBI.

Then there are Jews in Israel who tell me I have no business commenting on Israeli affairs because I did not serve in the Israeli army and I do not pay taxes there and I have the luxury of living here.

To the first group, I would simply say this: I love America, and I believe that many of the best American values draw directly from the Judeo-Christian tradition that contemporary Israel keeps alive.

Moreover, America's founders included people who drew inspiration from Jewish texts and principles. Some even hoped, one day, to see a Jewish state in the Middle East -- a restoration of Israel.

Among these was John Adams, our second president. There were many others. And George Washington himself said specifically that the persecution of Jews was hostile to the idea of America.

One can certainly support Israel and be a loyal and patriotic American citizen. Both countries share the same values and interests. To deny Americans the right to be pro-Israel is to limit our own freedom.

And if you think that America cannot abide a people living within it who have another spiritual homeland, or a different set of religious laws -- well, join a long list of failed haters, dating back to the Bible.

To those on the other side, I would say: I love Israel, and over the past 25 years I have made the case for Israel, both in the U.S. and elsewhere, to boost support for Israel and Israel‘s security.

You may not experience that directly, but it does have an effect. You are correct that it is not really my business what kind of judicial system Israel has, although I am certainly entitled to an opinion.

However, when people in Israel start referring to their government as a dictatorship, that is very serious because much of Israel’s support from the rest of the world depends on it being seen as a democracy.

So it is something I must investigate and decide for myself. With respect, most of the judicial reforms Israel is debating are quite democratic, and less radical than the system we have in the U.S.

Most of our judges are elected directly, and our prosecutors. (This is partly the legacy of reforms by Andrew Jackson, 200 years ago.) Even those judges that are appointed are chosen by elected politicians.

One of Israel's proposed reforms would allow the elected Knesset to choose judges. Unless you think the United States is not a democracy, that reform is entirely compatible with democracy.

Therefore, while even I do not agree with all of the reforms, I feel an obligation to argue against the idea that Israel is a dictatorship, or that Israel is going to become the Jewish version of Iran.

These claims undermine support for Israel in the United States, and therefore, they are dangerous for Israel‘s security, as well as for the safety of Jews outside Israel, even if you do not see that directly.

I also do not want to see the radical tactics of some (not all) of the protesters succeed in Israel, because then Israel will never again be safe, and because those tactics will eventually be used here as well.

I may not have served in the Israeli military, etc., but I believe I have an obligation to state my view. And given that some Israelis appear to agree with me, it might benefit you to hear what I have to say.

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What else you may like…
Videos
Posts
Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Additional note about this week: Sabbath of Vision!

I should have noted in my message about the weekly Torah portion that this week is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision. We are about to mourn -- but see through that pain to something better that lies beyond, on the other side.

Wishing you the best vision -- and an incredible reality to follow. It happens!

Weekly Torah reading: Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22)

We begin the final speech of Moses to the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He relates the ups and downs of the years of wandering in the desert, before, finally, the people have the merit to enter the land itself.

This Sabbath always precedes Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both of the Holy Temples, and a catch-all for many calamities that befell the Jewish people.

A word on Tisha B'Av. This year I am leaving for an overseas trip during the afternoon of the holiday -- in the middle of a fast day. Not idea, but there was no other choice. But my flight is in the afternoon, which is significant.

We relax some of the harsh, mournful customs of the day in the afternoon. We start to pray normally; we sit on regular chairs; we start to have hope again in the redemption that will, one day, lead us all back from exile to our home.

I'll be taking a trip to a land where an important part of ...

Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (July 27, 2025)

President Trump is in Scotland, playing golf and making big trade deals -- a major deal with the EU, in fact. Meanwhile, there is a global outcry about humanitarian aid to Palestinians (not about the Israeli hostages, mind you).

On top of that, Democrats are at their lowest polling numbers ever -- so they are trying to win control of the House by redistricting in the middle of a 10-year Census cycle. Oh, economic optimism is up, so they have a tough road.

And Tulsi Gabbard's revelations about the Russia collusion investigation make it clear that Obama's lieutenants lied to Congress. How deeply was he himself involved? The media continue to ignore the evidence, but we certainly won't.

Special guests:

Nick Gilbertson - Breitbart News White House correspondent, on EU deal
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Trump abroad and Russia
John Spencer - urban warfare expert, on humanitarian aid and war in Gaza
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the ...

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