2026-01-14 12:37:AM <br/> Tags: #organization #AmericanJewry #KeyOrganizations ![[image-214.png|801x188]] # Israel Emergency Alliance/StandWithUs (SWU) - StandWithUs (SWU), is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to pro-Israel advocacy, and countering anti-Israel messaging.[^1] - StandWithUs is also known as the Israel Emergency Alliance. - SWU was founded in Los Angeles in 2001 by [[Roz Rothstein]], her husband Jerry Rothstein, and Esther Renzer. - Renzer is a member of the [[Jewish Agency]] board of governors.[^2] - SWU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles. - SWU has regional chapters in Israel, the UK, Netherlands, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, and South Africa.[^7][^8] - SWU claims to be non-partisan, though in practice it is firmly on the Jewish right, supporting a hawkish Israeli footing and calling West Bank settlements "legal."[^25] - SWU, considered to be right wing, is pro-LGBT and even sponsors homosexual and perverse events in Israel and the United States.[^1][^26] - A 2012 speaking tour in the Pacific Northwest sponsored by SWU and [[A Wider Bridge]] was called "Rainbow Generations: Building New LGBTQ Pride and Inclusion in Israel." #### Founding and Early History - The impetus for SWU's founding was a perceived anti-Israel bias in reporting during the [[Second Intifada]]. - SWU pushes pro-Israel education and advocacy, often through pressure campaigns, reputation destruction, hostile surveillance, legal tactics, and media manipulation. - SWU founder [[Roz Rothstein]] defined what it means to support Israel as "respecting the elected government of Israel." According to Rothstein, any criticism of Israeli policy equates to non-support of Israel.[^3] - *And non-support of Israel equates to being anti-Israel, and being anti-Israel equates to being antisemitic, and if you are antisemitic you hate all Jews, and if you hate all Jews you want to do another holocaust. This seems like an unfair string of assumptions because it is. These conclusions are however gospel in the world of 'combating antisemitism.'* #### SWU Campus Activities - American universities are a major SWU focus. - SWU maintains a legal advisory network of around 80 lawyers who provide pro-bono legal services and representation for students facing 'antisemitism.'[^1] - Each year, SWU chooses student representatives to organize pro-Israel on-campus messaging.[^3] - SWU's Israel office is partnered with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a program that recruits ~150 Israeli students per year to become [[Hasbara]] activists for the state.[^3] *Hasbara is Israeli public diplomacy, i.e., propaganda.* - SWU is also active in recruiting pro-Israel high school students to prepare them for their college years as a pro-Israel activist.[^1] - Beginning in - A common SWU tactic is sending pro-Israel activists to record and monitor anti-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrations. - In some instances, SWU staffers engage pro-Palestine activists through remote controlled robots with screens and cameras.[^12] - In 2022, SWU used a robot developed by Roey Tzezana, an Israeli "futurist and AI researcher" at the [[Technion]], one of Israel's most prestigious universities. - The robot moved around an Israel-critical event while an SWU official confronted students from the iPad fixed to the robot's head. *The hasbara bot would like a word with you.* ![[image-215.png|629x365]] *Pro-Israel robot deployed by SWU to Brown University in 2022 - [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20221203064901/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2016-03-14/ty-article/.premium/bizarre-pro-israel-robot-accused-of-harassing-u-s-university-students/0000017f-e9fe-da9b-a1ff-edff3a5d0000)* - In 2010, Israeli Ambassador to the United States [[Michael Oren]] gave a speech at University of California Irvine.[^9][^3] - His Speech was repeatedly interrupted by 11 Muslim protesters. - After the incident, the Jewish dean of the UC Irvine Law School declared that the Muslim protesters actions were not protected under the first amendment. - Organized American Jewry called for criminal charges. - The 11 protesters were charged, tried, and sentenced to 56 hours of community service, three years probation, and monetary fines. - It was a video by SWU activists that got the 11 arrested. - #RedPill *A Jewish speaker, his Muslim protesters, and their Jewish punishers all feel obligated to their tribal displays in our country. Native Americans. Beware of foreign influence.* --- - SWU courts Jewish donors to American universities, working with them to pressure universities into teaching from a pro-Israel perspective. - In 2022, SWU worked with Becky Benaroya, a large donor to the University of Washington's Israel Studies Program, to pressure and eventually revoke her support for the program.[^13]*Becky Benaroya is the wife of the late Jewish real estate developer and investor Jack Benaroya.[^14]* - Benaroya and an SWU representative met with a Jewish professor of UW's Israel Studies Program who had spoken critically of Israel. - The university punished the professor, returned Benaroya's $5 million endowment, and put the program on hold. - Benaroya redirected her donations to SWU. - SWU used the incident to stress the importance of Jewish donors using their money to make sure programming favors Israel. #### Other Activities - SWU has been described as a "major funder of ELNET."[^3] - ELNET has been described as an "[[AIPAC]]-like effort in Europe."[^4] - In 2010, the Olympia Food Co-op board voted to boycott Israeli goods.[^1] - SWU worked with a handful of dissenting co-op members on a lawsuit against the board, attempting to force an end to the boycott. - SWU brought the suit in collusion with the Israeli consul in the Pacific Northwest, Akiva Tor.[^15] - After a years-long legal battle, SWU lost the case and an appeal. - In 2011, SWU worked with the Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister, [[Danny Ayalon]], to produce a propaganda video explaining Israel's right to the West Bank.[^3][^19] - The video is hosted on the [[World Jewish Congress]] website.[^19] - The animated video shows a "map of Israel" as designated by the 1917 [[Balfour Declaration]]. The map includes all of modern day Israel, the occupied territories, and all of Jordan. - Ayalon calls the loss of the "East Bank" a "painful compromise." *The East Bank refers to the country of Jordan, which sits on the East Bank of the Jordan River.* ![[image-216.png|700x369]] *"Supposed "Map of Israel" vis-a-vis 1917 according to SWU's propaganda video made in partnership with the Israeli Foreign Ministry.*[^19] - In 2015, SWU was slotted to receive ~1 million shekels (~254,000) from the Israeli Prime Minister's office to run a "social media ambassadors" program.[^23][^24] - The program was eventually halted and SWU did not take the Israeli funding. - [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] was the Israeli Prime Minister at the time. - In 2021, SWU condemned Republican Representative Paul Gosar for speaking at Nick Fuentes' America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC).[^1] - SWU works with many notable Jewish organizations including:[^1] - [[Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC)]] - SWU is a member organization of the ICC. - [[Israeli-American Council]] - Began a partnership in 2012 called Shagririm, recruiting Israeli-American young adults in California to help them organize pro-Israel activism.[^1] - [[AIPAC]] - SWU states: "StandWithUs is proud to have a large delegation attending and participating in [[AIPAC]] Policy Conference, as we have done each year since our inception... # AIPACProud"[^20] - SWU works to oppose BDS (boycott, divest, sanction), a progressive movement which targets Israel economically. - SWU lobbies the federal government and state governments to pass legislation banning government contractors from boycotting Israel.[^1] - SWU funded a comic book series featuring a superhero "Captain Israel" who holds a star of David shield while wearing a star of David suit and holding an Israeli flag.[^16][^17][^18] - Captain Israel fights the enemies of Israel, including the BDS movement, Palestine in the form of a snake, and pro-Palestine groups in the form of vermin. - Captain Israel's largest battle is against the BDS movement.[^18] - Captain Israel wields a giant menorah as he fights alongside the IDF shouting the catchphrase "for Israel." *An 'American' organization - SWU - is behind captain Israel. SWU is not registered as a foreign agent.* - SWU routinely organizes protests and counter-protests. - These take place at universities, outside diplomatic missions, government buildings, Israel-critical speeches, etc. - SWU even flew a plane carrying a pro Israel message over a Roger Waters concert in California in 2016, in opposition to his support for BDS.[^1] - SWU lobbies for the promotion of the [[International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)]] definition of antisemitism. - The IHRA definition has been adopted by numerous countries, states, departments, and agencies through aggressive Jewish lobbying. - Prominent American [[Neoconservatism|Neoconservative]] [[Bret Stephens]] is listed as a speaker for the SWU's 2026 conference in Las Vegas.[^21] #### Funding and Donors - SWU has seen steady growth in revenue since its founding. - Revenue over time:[^5] - 2010 - $6.85 million - 2015 - $11 million - 2020 - $17.8 million - 2024 - $27.1 million - Major SWU donors include: - [[Adam Milstein]] - $851,500[^6] - The Los Angeles [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)|Jewish Federation]] - [[Birthright Israel]][^3] - Susan Wexner (sister of [[Les Wexner]])[^10] - [[Paul Singer]]'s [[Paul E. Singer Foundation]] - $390,000 from 2015-2017 [^27] - Newton Becker - Hawkish California Jewish donor, involved in the founding and early funding of SWU.[^16] - Becky Benaroya - Covered above under the last section under the "SWU Campus Activities" header.[^13] #### Notable Figures - [[Roz Rothstein]] - Founder and CEO - [[Naty Saidoff]] - Vice president [^1][^11] - [[Adam Milstein]] - Board member [^1][^6] - Lawrence Post - Board member - Jewish Investment banker who has worked at [[Salomon Brothers]], [[Drexel Burnham Lambert]], and Smith Barney.[^22] #### References [^1]: _StandWithUs_, Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StandWithUs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StandWithUs). [^2]: Esther Renzer, _Esther Renzer | The Jewish Agency – U.S._, The Jewish Agency for Israel, [https://www.jewishagency.org/esther-renzer/](https://www.jewishagency.org/esther-renzer/). [^3]: Nathan Guttman, _StandWithUs Draws Line on Israel_, Forward, November 27, 2011, [https://forward.com/news/146821/standwithus-draws-line-on-israel/](https://forward.com/news/146821/standwithus-draws-line-on-israel/). [^4]: Loán Lake, _Raanan Eliaz Selected to Lead Moishe House’s Global Development Efforts_, Mem Global, May 3, 2022, [https://memglobal.org/news/raanan-eliaz-selected-to-lead-moishe-houses-global-development-efforts/#:~:text=established%20and%20led-,ELNET%2C%20an%20AIPAC,-%2Dlike%20effort%20in](https://memglobal.org/news/raanan-eliaz-selected-to-lead-moishe-houses-global-development-efforts/#:~:text=established%20and%20led-,ELNET%2C%20an%20AIPAC,-%2Dlike%20effort%20in). [^5]: ProPublica _Nonprofit Explorer_, “Israel Emergency Alliance (EIN 01-0566033),” ProPublica, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/10566033](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/10566033). [^6]: _Adam Milstein_, SourceWatch, [https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Adam_Milstein](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Adam_Milstein). [^7]: _Regional Office_, StandWithUs, [https://standwithus.com/initiative-type/regional-office](https://standwithus.com/initiative-type/regional-office). [^8]: _About_, StandWithUs, [https://standwithus.com/about](https://standwithus.com/about). [^9]: _Irvine 11 controversy_, Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvine_11_controversy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvine_11_controversy). [^10]: Eli Clifton, _StandWithUs Money Trail Reveals Neocon Funders_, Electronic Intifada, October 22, 2009, [https://electronicintifada.net/content/standwithus-money-trail-reveals-neocon-funders/8503](https://electronicintifada.net/content/standwithus-money-trail-reveals-neocon-funders/8503). [^11]: _Naty Saidoff_, Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naty_Saidoff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naty_Saidoff). [^12]: Emma Goldberg, _“‘Bizarre’ Pro-Israel Robot Accused of Harassing U.S. University Students”_, Haaretz, March 14, 2016, archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20221203064901/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2016-03-14/ty-article/.premium/bizarre-pro-israel-robot-accused-of-harassing-u-s-university-students/0000017f-e9fe-da9b-a1ff-edff3a5d0000](https://web.archive.org/web/20221203064901/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2016-03-14/ty-article/.premium/bizarre-pro-israel-robot-accused-of-harassing-u-s-university-students/0000017f-e9fe-da9b-a1ff-edff3a5d0000). [^13]: Andrew Lapin, _“Donor Yanks Israel Studies Endowment at U of Washington Over Professor’s Israel Criticism”_, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, February 24, 2022, [https://www.jta.org/2022/02/24/united-states/israel-studies-endowment-revoked-over-professors-israel-criticism-at-university-of-washington](https://www.jta.org/2022/02/24/united-states/israel-studies-endowment-revoked-over-professors-israel-criticism-at-university-of-washington). [^14]: _Jack Benaroya_, Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Benaroya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Benaroya). [^15]: Richard Silverstein, _“Israeli Consul, StandWithUs Engage in Lawfare Against Olympia Food Coop”_, Tikun Olam (blog), September 10, 2011, [https://www.richardsilverstein.com/2011/09/10/israeli-consul-standwithus-engage-in-lawfare-against-olympia-food-coop/](https://www.richardsilverstein.com/2011/09/10/israeli-consul-standwithus-engage-in-lawfare-against-olympia-food-coop/). [^16]: Donna Nevel, _“Anti-Muslim Bigotry Is Being Funded by the Israel-Right-or-Wrong Crowd”_, Mondoweiss, October 12, 2012, [https://mondoweiss.net/2012/10/anti-muslim-bigotry-is-being-funded-by-the-israel-right-or-wrong-crowd](https://mondoweiss.net/2012/10/anti-muslim-bigotry-is-being-funded-by-the-israel-right-or-wrong-crowd). [^17]: Cecilie Surasky, _“Out of Answers on How to Confront BDS, StandWithUs Comic Book Portrays Palestinians (and Allies) as Vermin, Reminiscent of Nazi Propaganda”_, Mondoweiss, January 13, 2011, [https://mondoweiss.net/2011/01/out-of-answers-on-how-to-confront-bds-standwithus-comic-book-portrays-palestinians-and-allies-as-vermin-reminiscent-of-nazi-propaganda/](https://mondoweiss.net/2011/01/out-of-answers-on-how-to-confront-bds-standwithus-comic-book-portrays-palestinians-and-allies-as-vermin-reminiscent-of-nazi-propaganda/). [^18]: Mark LeVine, _“Meet Captain Israel, the Anti-BDS Superhero,”_ Al Jazeera, September 6, 2011, [https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/9/6/meet-captain-israel-the-anti-bds-superhero](https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/9/6/meet-captain-israel-the-anti-bds-superhero). [^19]: _Daniel Ayalon: The Truth About the West Bank_, World Jewish Congress, July 19, 2011, [https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/videos/jewish-world/daniel-ayalon-the-truth-about-the-west-bank](https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/videos/jewish-world/daniel-ayalon-the-truth-about-the-west-bank). [^20]: _StandWithUs Statement Regarding Senator Sanders’ Attack on AIPAC_, StandWithUs, [https://standwithus.com/news/standwithus-statement-regarding-senator-sanders-attack-on-aipac/](https://standwithus.com/news/standwithus-statement-regarding-senator-sanders-attack-on-aipac/). [^21]: _Conference_, StandWithUs, [https://standwithus.com/events/conference/](https://standwithus.com/events/conference/). [^22]: _Lawrence Post_, Jewish Foundation of Los Angeles, [https://www.jewishfoundationla.org/person/lawrence-post/](https://www.jewishfoundationla.org/person/lawrence-post/). [^23]: _“Prime Minister’s Office Hires Rightist Israel Advocacy Group for 1 Million Shekels,”_ Haaretz, January 13, 2015, archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20210302174107/https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-pmo-hires-rightist-advocacy-group-1.5360091](https://web.archive.org/web/20210302174107/https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-pmo-hires-rightist-advocacy-group-1.5360091). [^24]: _“Israel to Bankroll NIS 1m StandWithUs Venture,”_ Times of Israel, January 15, 2015, [https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-bankroll-nis-1m-standwithus-venture/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-bankroll-nis-1m-standwithus-venture/). [^25]: _The West Bank and International Law_, StandWithUs, [https://standwithus.com/library/guides/the-west-bank-and-international-law/](https://standwithus.com/library/guides/the-west-bank-and-international-law/). *SWU has produced a 26 page white paper arguing the legality of Israeli control of the West Bank. Page 16 explicitly covers SWU's argument that Israeli settler activity in the West Bank is legal. They base their argument on the idea that since no country "legally" owned the West Bank prior to the [[1967 Six Day War]], Israel is not an engaged in an occupation.* [^26]: Wendy Elisheva Somerson, _“Queering Palestinian Solidarity Work,”_ _Tikkun_ 28, no. 3 (August 1, 2013): 58–61, [https://read.dukeupress.edu/tikkun/article/28/3/58/91582/Queering-Palestinian-Solidarity-Work](https://read.dukeupress.edu/tikkun/article/28/3/58/91582/Queering-Palestinian-Solidarity-Work). [^27]: ProPublica, “Paul E Singer Foundation,” [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272009342](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272009342)