Red Alert:

In this episode, we welcome Steven Jaffe, Chair of the Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, joining us from the United Kingdom to shed light on the realities facing the Jewish community in Northern Ireland and the broader region.

Steven shares encouraging news: Israel and the Jewish people have many Christian and non-Jewish allies who stand with them. Yet he also explains the difficult truth—political hostility toward Israel often spills over into hostility toward local Jewish communities.
Raised in Northern Ireland, Steven grew up within his Jewish family surrounded by a Christian community that embraced and supported the small Jewish minority. Only later did he recognize the wider undercurrents of antisemitism and anti Zionism shaping the region. This realization led him to partner with non-Jewish allies to counter misinformation, challenge false accusations, and build bridges rooted in shared values and truth.

Steven also walks us through the deep historical ties between Ireland, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel—including the remarkable legacy of Chaim Herzog, the Irish-born 6th President of Israel, and his father, Isaac Herzog, the first Chief Rabbi of Ireland.
Steven also explains how decades of Holocaust education have become increasingly disconnected from current events, creating a dangerous gap in understanding. He describes a growing shift in sentiment against the modern State of Israel across political, economic, and educational spheres—one that often fuels apathy or hostility toward local Jewish communities. As misinformation spreads online and biased news outlets amplify false narratives, Jewish individuals frequently find themselves in the crosshairs of anger that has little to do with their own lives and everything to do with global misperceptions.

With more than 40 million Americans claiming Irish heritage, and even more with roots across the United Kingdom, Americans need to understand the issues unfolding in Ireland today. Steven explains why U.S. voices matter in advocating for policies that strengthen positive relations between Israel and both the UK and the Republic of Ireland—nations that share democratic values, cultural connections, and spiritual heritage with the Jewish people.

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