What The Hell America!

Holocaust Remembrance Day, marked in January, served as a solemn reminder of the necessity for marginalized groups, particularly Jewish people, to retain agency over their histories and narratives. During the Holocaust, the erasure of Jewish voices allowed external forces to dehumanize and distort their identities, culminating in systemic genocide. Today, as firsthand Holocaust testimonies transition to archives, the risks of denialism, distortion and revisionism underscore the critical importance of Jewish agency in combating antisemitism.

Efforts to appropriate Jewish identity and history for political gain remain a pressing issue. One example is “Project Esther,” an initiative by The Heritage Foundation ostensibly aimed at combating antisemitism. However, critics argue that Project Esther’s framing of Jewish identity — tied to unconditional support for Israel — advances a Christian nationalist agenda. By sidelining progressive Jewish voices and framing Muslim communities as the primary threat to Jewish people, the initiative distorts the understanding of antisemitism to align with exclusionary policies.

Progressive Jewish publications such as the Forward have criticized Project Esther for its lack of genuine Jewish representation. Unable to garner substantial Jewish support, the initiative is a plan developed by Christian nationalists for Christian nationalist goals. Ben Lorber, senior research analyst at Political Research Associates, describes the initiative as focused on “repressing progressive movements under the guise of protecting Jews” rather than addressing the systemic roots of antisemitism. Lorber notes that Project Esther conflates legitimate criticisms of Israel with antisemitism in order to dismantle progressive movements.

Defining the ‘Hamas Support Network’

A central tactic of Project Esther involves conflating pro-Palestinian and progressive organizations with terrorism. The initiative alleges the existence of a “Hamas Support Network” that includes groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). However, these claims lack credible evidence. For instance, an October 2023 report on Hamas-related entities in the U.S. by Lorenzo Vidino, the director of George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, does not implicate groups like SJP in any terrorist activities. According to Vidino, there is no evidence that this organization has any operational ties to Hamas. Heritage’s Project Esther claims these groups have formed “an active cabal of Jew-haters, Israel-haters, and America-haters in Washington.” By misrepresenting legitimate advocacy for Palestinian rights as terrorism, Project Esther stifles critical voices while perpetuating harmful stereotypes and divisive narratives. Ironically, this narrative exploits rhetoric that has historically been weaponized against Jewish people — such as the “hidden hand” or “shadow government” — to demonize Muslims.

Challenging the notion of Jewish passivity

Another troubling aspect of Project Esther is its portrayal of Jewish people as passive victims dependent on external intervention. This narrative diminishes the resilience and agency of Jewish communities throughout history. Jewish people have consistently been at the forefront of combating antisemitism, advocating for human rights and preserving their cultural heritage. As noted by Zev Mishell, senior research fellow at Harvard’s Center for the Study of World Religions, the politicization of Jewish identity reflects a broader trend of using marginalized groups’ histories for political gain.

By framing Christian nationalist policies as necessary for Jewish survival, Project Esther and its right-wing allies perpetuate a paternalistic dynamic that Jewish communities overwhelmingly reject.

The Christian nationalist agenda

The Heritage Foundation’s work aligns with broader Christian nationalist goals, which seek to reshape the U.S. according to a narrow vision of morality and identity. By positioning itself as a protector of Jewish people, the organization falsely conflates Jewish identity with its political objectives.

Sean Feucht, a prominent far-right minister, musician and unapologetic Christian nationalist, has been one prominent figure giving voice to the Christian nationalist view that the growth of antisemitism is a promising sign that Jesus will return. Feucht has attacked college campus protests and claimed they were a sign that the “end times” are near. At a “United for Israel” rally outside of Columbia University in April 2024, Feucht told a crowd: “We’re seeing this rise and this flood of antisemitism across the world. These are the end days. I know people say this all the time, and everyone’s saying this is the end of the day. … Well, these are the end days, and we’re one day closer to the return of Jesus.” His focus on Israel, Jewish people and antisemitism arguably has little to do with Jewish people. Instead, his commentary appears to be only concerned with the role Jewish people are supposed to play in the return of Jesus. 

This approach erases the diversity of Jewish thought and undermines Jewish agency. The rhetoric of figures such as recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth frames support for Israel as a moral imperative while vilifying Palestinian advocacy. Hegseth, during his confirmation hearing, said, “I support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas.” He has also been vocal about his Christian Zionist beliefs, underscoring a view that merges American political identity with unwavering support for Israeli actions. Similarly, Feucht has repeatedly asserted that the U.S. has been engaged in “a spiritual battle.” This rhetoric often frames the conflict as a battle between absolute good (Israel) and evil (those who oppose it), undermining nuanced discussions of the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

This binary framing obscures the complexities of antisemitism and prioritizes Christian nationalist narratives over genuine Jewish voices.

Preserving Jewish agency

It is essential to reaffirm the importance of preserving the agency of marginalized groups. Jewish voices must lead conversations about their history, identity and the challenges they face. The politicization of Jewish identity — whether by The Heritage Foundation or other actors — risks erasing the very lessons the Holocaust seeks to impart.

Holocaust education and remembrance must center on the voices of people who have been directly affected. As the Southern Poverty Law Center has previously noted, the over-Americanization of history and the rise of book bans threaten the integrity of Holocaust education. Ensuring that Jewish perspectives remain central to discussions of antisemitism is not only a matter of justice, but also a safeguard against the distortions that enable hate to thrive.

Image at top: “The politicization of Jewish identity … risks erasing the very lessons the Holocaust seeks to impart,” Alon Milwicki writes. (Courtesy of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)