Time to Act: A Conversation with Noa Tishby | Global Conference 2025

Context of the Event:

• The transcript records a session featuring Noah Tishby and Noah Argamani, both identified as two-time New York Times bestselling authors and advocates for Israel.
• Noah Argamani is described as having served in the IDF and spent roughly 14 years advocating for Israel in the U.S.

Misconceptions Regarding Israel (May 2025):

• Tishby identifies a disconnect where the global public holds disproportionate obsessions about Israel despite lacking basic knowledge of its governance, similar to the lack of knowledge regarding Denmark's system.
• Specific factual corrections highlighted by Tishby include:
  • Jews are indigenous to the state of Israel, originating from Judea.
  • Israel is a decolonized refugee state formed from British mandate, not a colonialist enterprise.
  • 21% of Israel's population comprises Arab, Israeli, Palestinian citizens with equal rights.
  • The entity "Palestine" as a state or historical entity "never has been."
• Tishby notes that younger generations, heavily influenced by social media (specifically TikTok), are the most prone to these fundamental misunderstandings.

The Nature of the Conflict:

• Tishby characterizes the current situation not as an Israeli or Middle Eastern regional problem, but as a global "cultural conflict" between Western liberal values (human rights, gender equality) and a specific regional ideology.
• She identifies the core adversary as "jihadism," arguing that the culture prioritizing this ideology cannot be appeased by territorial concessions (e.g., a two-state solution).
• Tishby contrasts Western liberal norms with Sharia law interpretations prevalent in the region, citing specific examples such as the requirement of four male witnesses for rape accusations and the potential for a rapist to marry the victim to redeem her.
• The speaker asserts that this culture is dangerous not just to Israel but also to moderate Middle Eastern nations (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Jordan) which have historically outlawed groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and restricted Al Jazeera.

Strategy on U.S. College Campuses:

• Tishby frames recent student encampments as the tip of an iceberg representing a 30-year strategy by Israel's enemies to shift from military confrontation to a geopolitical and ideological war for the "hearts and minds" of young American voters.
• Operational Tactics:
  • The strategy utilizes language and tactics similar to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa to brand Israel as a "pariah" state.
  • The American Muslim and Palestinian (AMP) organization is identified as the primary driver, with the Student Struggle for Palestine (SJP) acting as a non-existent, unincorporated front organization.
  • Tishby cites congressional testimony indicating AMP is funded by groups linked to financial support for Hamas.
• Impact on Public Opinion:
  • While 71% of Americans (across the political spectrum) oppose the encampments, the strategy aims to normalize the concept of voting against a democratic ally at local levels (City Hall) to eventually influence federal policy.
  • Tishby argues that existing anti-BDS laws in universities are largely ineffective and fail to prevent the normalization of anti-democratic sentiment.

Definitions and Distinctions:

• Anti-Zionism vs. Anti-Semitism: Tishby asserts that anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are "one and the same," arguing that there is no other country whose existence is being debated or whose right to self-defense is being contested on the level of Israel.
• Nature of Anti-Semitism: The speaker defines anti-Semitism not as racism (which implies superiority) but as a "shape-shifting conspiracy theory" that attributes mythological powers to the Jewish people and projects societal ills (colonialism, racism, white supremacy) onto the Jewish state.
• Historical Parallels: Tishby draws a direct line between historical blood libel accusations against Jews and modern accusations that the IDF indiscriminately kills children to use their blood, noting the rhetorical shift replaces "Jews" with "IDF/Zionists."

Forward-Looking Statements and Optimism:

• Sources of Hope:
  • Israeli Youth: Tishby expresses admiration for the 18-to-21-year-old generation in Israel who are mobilizing to defend the country.
  • Global Jewish Resilience: She cites the historical precedent of Jewish survival against past threats (Mamluks, Jebusites) and asserts that 80 years of the last millennium are an anomaly.
  • Cultural Continuity: She projects that Jewish cultural practices, such as lighting Shabbat candles, will persist regardless of future geopolitical borders or political figures (specifically referencing Ilhan Omar).
• Call to Action: Tishby urges the audience, particularly non-Jewish allies, to educate their communities regarding the October 7th atrocities and the situation with hostages.
• Strategic Outlook: The speaker expresses optimism that the public is finally recognizing the 30-year ideological war, allowing for a more effective counter-narrative.