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This Month, We Celebrate Jewish American Veterans and Heroes
(Illustrative) The graves of fallen US servicemen at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo: Reuters/Michael A. McCoy.
American history is full of Jewish heroes — famous names like Albert Einstein, Sandy Koufax, and Stan Lee. But during Jewish American History Month, and on Memorial Day, I am most inspired by the many American Jews who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and courage while serving in our country’s military.
People who exemplify patriotism. People, in other words, who remind me of my dad.
Bernard Deutch fought in the Battle of the Bulge, earning a Purple Heart while helping beat back a massive Nazi counterattack in the Ardennes Forest.
Like many veterans of World War II, he rarely talked about the details of his service. The one thing he did share, and made sure his children knew, was that we were all privileged to live in the United States — the country he almost died defending. A country where Jews were welcome.
And despite alarming spikes in antisemitism, the US remains the greatest safe haven the Jewish Diaspora has ever known.
And that’s why I believe so many American Jews are not only profoundly and gratefully patriotic, but are also driven to better our communities and this country for all its people.
Andrea Goldstein is one of those Jews. Her family came to America fleeing the Holocaust, and, according to Andrea, always praised the opportunity and security this country has afforded them. This gratitude led her to join the US Navy, where as Acting Director for Force Resiliency, she leads critical efforts in combating sexual assault and harassment, as well as suicide prevention and response.
“A big component of what drew me to military service is definitely the spirit of tikkun olam,” she said. “For me, the idea of putting on the cloth of the nation that welcomed my family as refugees was the best way to do that.”
Andrea also served on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs as the lead staffer for the Women Veterans Task Force, where she helped write more than 100 pieces of legislation that improve access to healthcare and benefits for female veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, sexual trauma survivors, and people living with PTSD.
Or take the example of Dave Warnock. His great-grandfather emigrated from Russia and enlisted in the US Army at age 16. Both of Warnock’s grandfathers served in World War II, and his father joined the Coast Guard.
Dave joined the Army in the wake of 9/11, and served two tours in Iraq. Throughout his career, he was one of the only Jews in his military companies.
“For a lot of people,” he said, “I was the only Jew they ever met.”
After his time in the military, Warnock’s commitment to service led to a career in law enforcement, where he found that many of the guiding principles in the Torah and Talmud — including fairness and accountability — overlap with what it meant to be a police officer.
As in the military, Warnock is often one of the few Jewish police officers in his department, a rewarding experience because of the awareness he can raise, and the connections he can make with fellow officers who are curious to learn more.
I also want to honor the many American Jews who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country — two of whom I had the honor of representing in the Florida Senate.
Pfc. Daniel J. Agami, from Coconut Creek, Florida, decided to enlist in the military after having been deeply affected by the September 11 attacks. He earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and an Army Commendation Medal, but was tragically killed in action in Baghdad in June 2007 at 25 years old. His mother Beth said of him, “He always wanted to be of service.”
Major Stuart A. Wolfer, a native of Coral Springs, Florida, was dedicated to his Jewish faith. A beloved father of three children, while deployed in Iraq, he volunteered with a newly formed local Boy Scout organization before being killed in action in Baghdad in April 2008 at the age of 36.
As a Member of Congress, I also continued the efforts of my predecessor, Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL), and worked with then-Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) to properly recognize the service and sacrifice of Pfc. Leonard M. Kravitz, who died heroically while protecting his fellow soldiers during the Korean War, and other Jewish soldiers who were not properly honored for their service due to prejudice.
These Jewish American heroes’ service, hard work, and compassion are emblematic of a tradition that has enriched the fabric of American society for generations. Alongside my dad, their example, and my Jewish values, inspire me to fight for America’s values, and I hope they inspire you too.
Please join me in honoring them and all the other Jews who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our Nation.
Ted Deutch is CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC) and a former Congressman from Florida.
The post This Month, We Celebrate Jewish American Veterans and Heroes first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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French Official Tells Paper Arab Countries Will Condemn Hamas, Trying to Get Palestinian Statehood Recognized
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks to the media on the day he attends the European Union Foreign Ministers council in Brussels, Belgium, July 15, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman
Arab countries will for the first time condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament early next week at a United Nations ministerial event in New York, a move meant to lure more European countries to recognize Palestinian statehood, France’s foreign minister said on Saturday.
In an exclusive interview with French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot said the move was part of a long-planned initiative between France and Saudi Arabia.
“For the first time, Arab countries will condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament, which will seal its definitive isolation. European countries will in turn confirm their intention to recognize the State of Palestine. Half of European countries have done so, all others are considering it,” Barrot told the JDD.
“The British Prime Minister has stated his intention to do so. Germany is considering it at a later stage. We will launch an appeal in New York for other countries to join us in order to set in motion an even more ambitious and demanding process that will culminate on September 21,” Barrot added.
On Thursday French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would formally recognize the state of Palestine at the U.N. General Assembly on September 21, drawing condemnation from the U.S. and Israel.
Earlier on Saturday Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called it counterproductive to recognize a Palestinian state before it is established.
On Friday a German government spokesperson said there were no plans to recognize a Palestinian state in the short term.
At the upcoming United Nations event on Monday and Tuesday, France and Saudi Arabia plan to lay out a proposed post-war roadmap leading to a two-state solution covering security, reconstruction and governance, which will be compatible with the Abraham Accords negotiated by US President Trump, Barrot said.
The French minister added that in coming weeks the European Commission would take a tougher stance on Israel and demand a stop on building of any new settlement projects in the West Bank, and also an end to militarized policing of humanitarian aid distribution.
Barrot also called on fellow European countries to demand a removal of the financial blockade on the Palestinian authority so it can receive 2 billion euros he said it is owed.
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Jordan and UAE Drop Aid Into Gaza in First Airdrop in Months, Jordanian Source Says
An airplane drops humanitarian aid over Gaza as seen from northern Gaza Strip July 27, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Jordan and the United Arab Emirates parachuted 25 tons of aid into the Gaza Strip on Sunday in their first airdrop in months, a Jordanian official source said.
The official said the air drops were not a substitute for delivery by land.
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Trump Says Israel Will Have to Decide on Next Steps in Gaza, Pledges More Aid
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 8, 2025. Photo: Kevin Lamarque via Reuters Connect.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday Israel would have to make a decision on next steps in Gaza, adding that he did not know what would happen after the collapse of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations with the Hamas terrorist group.
Trump underscored the importance of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, saying they had suddenly “hardened” up on the issue, and said the US would provide more aid to the war-torn Palestinian enclave.
“They don’t want to give them back, and so Israel is going to have to make a decision,” Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf property in Turnberry, Scotland.
“I know what I’d do, but I don’t think it’s appropriate that I say it. But Israel is going to have to make a decision,” he said, while also claiming, without evidence, that Hamas members were stealing food coming into Gaza and selling it.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, saying it had become clear that the Palestinian group did not want a deal.
Netanyahu said Israel was now mulling “alternative” options to achieve its goals of bringing its hostages home from Gaza and ending Hamas rule in the enclave.
Trump said he believed Hamas leaders would now be “hunted down,” telling reporters: “Hamas really didn’t want to make a deal. I think they want to die. And it’s very bad. And it got to be to a point where you’re going to have to finish the job.”
US TO PROVIDE MORE AID, TRUMP SAYS
Trump on Sunday said the US would provide more humanitarian aid to Gaza, where concerns are mounting about the worsening hunger, but wanted other countries to participate as well. He said he would discuss the issue with von der Leyen.
“We’re giving a lot of money, a lot of food, a lot of everything,” he said. “If we weren’t there, I think people would have starved, frankly. They would have starved, and it’s not like they’re eating well.”
He said he had spoken with Netanyahu and discussed a number of issues, including Iran. He said and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer would also discuss Israel when they meet at Trump’s golf property in Turnberry on Monday.
Trump also noted said the United States was not acknowledged for earlier food aid for Gaza.
“No other country gave anything,” he said, calling out European countries in particular. “It makes you feel a little bad when you do that and, you know, you have other countries not giving anything… Nobody gave but us. And nobody said, Gee, thank you very much. And it would be nice to have at least a thank you.”
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