Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Harvard graduate, will speak at the Republican National Convention to denounce the university's handling of antisemitic protests and President Biden's dwindling Jewish support.
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Harvard Graduate Exposes Antisemitism and Biden's Jewish Support Loss
Harvard alumnus Shabbos Kestenbaum has become a vocal critic of the Democratic Party and President Biden, citing a surge in antisemitism and Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict as reasons for his shift in political allegiance.
Kestenbaum is one of several Jewish students suing Harvard University for discrimination after antisemitic protests rocked the campus following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2021. He believes the university has failed Jewish students in the face of these protests.
Harvard Graduate Exposes Antisemitism and Biden's Jewish Support Loss
Kestenbaum spoke out against Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing him of delaying critical ammunition to Israel and failing to crack down on illegal protests that harass Jewish Americans. He believes Biden's actions have cost him support among Jewish voters.
"He is bleeding both left and right," Kestenbaum said. "There are constituencies across this country who are disillusioned and angry at his... inability to secure the release of eight American citizens held by Hamas."
Harvard Graduate Exposes Antisemitism and Biden's Jewish Support Loss
Kestenbaum's decision to speak at the Republican National Convention highlights the growing disenchantment among Jewish Democrats with the party's stance on Israel and its handling of antisemitism. He believes the Republican Party is currently the only one interested in addressing these issues.
"I'm a registered Democrat... and I don't understand why my party has been unable to adopt policies that are pro-Jewish, pro-America. I'm really disillusioned with my party right now," Kestenbaum said.
Kestenbaum expressed support for Trump's policies on instilling patriotism in schools, expelling foreign students who break laws, and removing tax-exempt status from university endowments. He declined to reveal his presidential candidate of choice in November but stated his support for Trump's policies in these areas.
The Democratic Party has become "almost unrecognizable" due to the Israel issue, according to Kestenbaum, who cited exceptions like Senator John Fetterman and Representative Ritchie Torres as pro-Israel lawmakers.
"There needs to be some type of reform within my party because they're failing way too many Jewish Americans and Americans," he added.
Biden has faced criticism from both the left and the right for his administration's handling of the war in the Middle East. Vice President Kamala Harris has also drawn the ire of some Jewish Democrats after expressing sympathy for protesters in an interview with The Nation.
Despite Biden's announcement of a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel and the possible return of U.S. hostages, Kestenbaum and other Jewish voters remain skeptical of his commitment to addressing their concerns.
