Speaking with Arutz Sheva during the JNS Conference at Yerushalayim’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chair and CEO Emeritus of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, sounded serious alarms about the rise of foreign-backed antisemitism and anti-Israel hostility in the United States. He also urged the international community to take immediate steps to confront the threat of Iran’s advancing nuclear program.
Hoenlein described how substantial financial contributions from foreign nations—including Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia, and Germany—have steadily infiltrated the American educational system over the past several decades. He pointed out that the pace of this funding has dramatically increased during the Biden administration.
“We are discovering immense amounts of money that have been flowing over the years, over forty years into the universities, even into K to 12, in public schools across the country, where they are adopting curricula that are hostile to Jews, hostile to Israel, where children are taken out of kindergartens to demonstrate against Israel,” he said.
He explained that just during the Biden presidency, another $25 billion in foreign donations has poured into American universities—more than twice the amount documented over the prior forty years combined. Hoenlein singled out Qatar as a major player but also stressed Germany and China’s significant roles.
Addressing China’s motives, Hoenlein clarified that their support has nothing to do with genuine concern for Palestinians. “Because it weakens America,” he explained. “They don’t demonstrate for the people who are dying in Sudan. They don’t care about Christians being persecuted in Nigeria. They don’t care about the Uyghurs. Only about the Jews.”
He cautioned that much of the turmoil and protests erupting on college campuses across the country are not spontaneous uprisings, but rather orchestrated efforts funded by foreign powers to destabilize American society. “Why do they attack statues of Lincoln? Because it’s to undermine the fundamental commitment of American society.”
Commenting on the Qatar-Gate scandal making headlines in Israel, Hoenlein said it is not particularly significant to the Jewish diaspora but reiterated that Qatar’s attempts to buy influence have been widespread and longstanding. “The Qataris have been trying to buy people all throughout the years, and in many cases, they succeed. I hope that’s not the case here.”
On the topic of Iran, Hoenlein expressed grave concern about Tehran’s accelerating nuclear ambitions and criticized the Biden administration’s inconsistent messaging. He urged for strong leadership similar to what was shown by President Trump.
“I think it’s too early to judge what President Trump really wants to do,” Hoenlein said. “But he also said that he would lead the charge. And I think he understands the threat that Iran represents.”
Hoenlein pointed out that internal dissatisfaction within Iran—such as spiraling inflation, massive youth unemployment, and growing opposition to the regime—presents a historic opportunity to encourage regime change without requiring American boots on the ground. “Working with the Iranian people, we could undermine this government. It wouldn’t even involve American troops.”
Still, he warned that Iran’s nuclear development today has far surpassed the conditions that existed during the 2015 JCPOA agreement. “They are now at [centrifuge] IR-6s and IR-7s. They can replace enriched uranium that is taken away. They’ve developed ballistic missiles. They’ve developed weaponization. This is a different game—and we have to stop Iran now.”
{Matzav.com Israel}