Sep 04, 2026

Jewish News Today: US House Passes Anti-Boycott Bill, Gloria Steinem Dies at 92, and Antisemitic Incidents Rise in Spain

The US House of Representatives has approved a bill that would cut certain federal funds to universities taking part in commercial boycotts of Israel, while Jewish communities in America and beyond mourned Gloria Steinem, the feminist pioneer who died at 92. In Europe, Spain's Jewish federation reported a 14.5% rise in antisemitic incidents for 2025.

US House Passes Bill Targeting University Boycotts of Israel

The House approved HR 4795, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, by 237 votes to 169, according to JTA. The bill was co-sponsored by North Carolina Republican Virginia Foxx and New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer and passed with the votes of 203 Republicans, 33 Democrats and one Independent. It would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 so that universities must refrain from a "nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel" to remain eligible for certain federal funds, and certify that students are not unreasonably obstructed from joining academic programs in Israel. Gottheimer, who is Jewish, called the bill "an important step forward in ensuring academic freedom for all students." JTA noted that not all Jewish members of Congress voted in favour, and that it remains unclear whether the bill can win enough Democratic support to pass the Senate.

Gloria Steinem, Feminist Trailblazer, Dies at 92

Gloria Steinem died peacefully at her home in New York City, according to a statement on her Instagram account reported by JTA. Born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1934 to a Jewish father and a Protestant mother, Steinem moved from journalism to activism in 1969 and became one of the best-known leaders of the second wave of the women's movement. JTA reports that her Jewish background shaped her view that oppression is structural and interconnected. Her friend and fellow Ms. magazine co-founder Letty Cottin Pogrebin quoted her as saying: "Wherever there is antisemitism, I identify as a Jew."

Spain: Antisemitic Incidents Up 14.5% in 2025

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) and the Movement Against Intolerance recorded 221 antisemitic incidents in 2025, up from 193 the year before, JTA reported. The groups warned that hatred is being "normalized." Spain's Interior Ministry separately counted 69 hate crimes and incidents targeting Jews in 2025, up from 37 in 2024. The report cites vandalised Holocaust memorials, desecrated Jewish graves and the harassment of French tourists outside a Barcelona synagogue in July.

Hasidic Leaders Meet President Trump at the White House

A delegation of Hasidic leaders from the New York area met President Donald Trump at the White House, according to JTA. Plans for the meeting had drawn criticism from some Jewish Trump supporters because the delegation included the two grand rabbis of the Satmar community, which is anti-Zionist for religious reasons. Hasidic political operative Yossi Gestetner described it as the first opportunity in over 50 years for a US president to meet the grand rabbis of the largest Hasidic community.

JD Vance Declines to Disavow Tucker Carlson

Vice President JD Vance said he has "political disagreements" with Tucker Carlson, who has spread antisemitic conspiracy theories, but that this would not affect their friendship, JTA reported. "I'm not going to play the game where I throw friends under the bus because I have political disagreements with them," Vance said at a White House press conference. His comments came days after he addressed members of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas.