menu_open Columnists
Luke Tress

Luke Tress

The Times of Israel

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

FBI says it disrupted plot for New Year’s Eve terror attack inspired by Islamic State

18-year-old arrested in undercover operation for alleged plan to target North Carolina grocery store, fast-food restaurant; official says suspect...

previous day 40

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Leading Jewish groups say Mamdani reversed antisemitism protections on his first day

Unusually broad alliance of organizations criticizes NY mayor for revoking IHRA antisemitism definition, anti-BDS measure; US Holocaust Museum:...

previous day 60

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Mamdani revokes IHRA antisemitism definition on day 1, amid broad rejection of Adams orders

NYC mayor nullifies swath of predecessor’s actions, including some related to Jewish community, while keeping Office to Combat Antisemitism

friday 100

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Mamdani nods to Jewish and Palestinian New Yorkers in inaugural speech

Mayor vows to pursue far-left policies and represent those who ‘distrust or disdain’ him, says Office to Combat Antisemitism will remain...

friday 60

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NYC mayor releases blueprint for combating antisemitism, a day before Mamdani sworn in

Eric Adams’s Office to Combat Antisemitism issues recommendations for opposing discrimination against Jews, drawing some implicit comparisons...

01.01.2026 50

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Anti-Zionism is a new chapter of Jew-hatred that must be confronted head-on, say activist academics

A growing number of alarmed scholars and professional groups call for a paradigm shift, arguing the existing tools for identifying this form of...

01.01.2026 30

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Mamdani appoints lawyer who coached anti-Israel protesters as NYC’s chief counsel

Ramzi Kassem founded legal nonprofit that supports hardline anti-Zionist activist groups; Jewish educator praises pick for next schools chancellor

31.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Syrian authorities release Jewish antiquities dealer, dismiss charges against him

Syrian authorities release Jewish antiquities dealer, dismiss charges against him

Salim Hamadani, one of a handful of Jews remaining in the country, was falsely accused of illegal trading, activist says

30.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Georgetown University drops UN’s Albanese due to US sanctions

Georgetown University drops UN’s Albanese due to US sanctions

Washington, DC, university severs ties with special rapporteur for the Palestinians after more than 10 years

30.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NYC Mayor Adams vows to fight antisemitism with cryptocurrency after leaving office

NYC Mayor Adams vows to fight antisemitism with cryptocurrency after leaving office

Outgoing mayor says he will use digital currency to ‘go after hate in a real way,’ without providing details

30.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NY governor steps in to prevent demolition of century-old Brooklyn synagogue

NY governor steps in to prevent demolition of century-old Brooklyn synagogue

Kingsbrook Synagogue, set up at hospital to serve Jews escaping antisemitism, had been slated for destruction in development project

28.12.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Ringleader of US leftist group charged in bomb plot called herself a ‘Hamas fangirl’

Ringleader of US leftist group charged in bomb plot called herself a ‘Hamas fangirl’

Turtle Island Liberation Front members, accused of planning mass terror attack in California, repeatedly discussed violence toward Israel, court...

25.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

What are Mamdani’s policy proposals that could directly impact Jewish New Yorkers?

New York City’s incoming mayor has outlined plans that could affect the Jewish community on security, education, and the Israel parade

24.12.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

At least 20% of Mamdani appointees have ties to anti-Zionist groups, ADL says

New York City mayor-elect’s transition committee picks have said that ‘Zionism is racism’ and Zionists are worse than Nazis,...

23.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Mamdani attends Hanukkah events, but no public menorah lightings

New York City mayor-elect goes to holiday gatherings hosted by leftist Jewish actor Mandy Patinkin, progressive advocacy group

22.12.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Trump ally Stefanik drops run for New York governor, will leave Congress

GOP lawmaker who grilled university heads on antisemitism says she wants to focus on raising son; Trump praises congresswoman’s...

20.12.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Canadian police arrest 3 men for attempted kidnappings targeting women and Jews

Armed suspects, 1 of whom charged with ISIS support, tried to force victims into vehicles; Canadian Jewish leader demands government step up...

20.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Man arrested for assault on Jews in New York City subway

Xeryus Mack indicted on several charges for allegedly grabbing Hasidic man’s neck and threatening to kill him

19.12.2025 90

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Mamdani appointee resigns after old antisemitic comments surface

Mayor-elect welcomes resignation of his pick for high-ranking role due to her posts from more than 10 years ago referring to ‘money hungry...

19.12.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Egypt says major natural gas deal with Israel is ‘purely commercial,’ not ‘political’

Egypt says major natural gas deal with Israel is ‘purely commercial,’ not ‘political’

Cairo approved agreement after weighing ‘economic and investment considerations,’ government media official says, stressing Egypt’s...

19.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

US Jewish legal group accuses Guinness records of consumer fraud for hiding ban on Israel

US Jewish legal group accuses Guinness records of consumer fraud for hiding ban on Israel

Louis D. Brandeis Center says company’s claim of documenting world records ‘materially misrepresents’ reality as entries from...

19.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Athelete on Iranian death row at ‘imminent’ risk of execution, rights groups warn

Athelete on Iranian death row at ‘imminent’ risk of execution, rights groups warn

Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani, a 30-year-old professional boxer, is in line for death penalty after 2020 capital conviction for involvement in protests

18.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NYPD investigating alleged antisemitic stabbing, 2nd assault in under 24 hours

NYPD investigating alleged antisemitic stabbing, 2nd assault in under 24 hours

New York police say assailant who knifed man in chest made ‘anti-Jewish statements,’ just hours after attack on two Jewish men on subway

18.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Declaring himself a ‘Maccabee,’ NYC’s Adams bids farewell to Jewish allies on Hanukkah

Declaring himself a ‘Maccabee,’ NYC’s Adams bids farewell to Jewish allies on Hanukkah

Holiday party hosted by pro-Israel mayor marks his final public Jewish event in office, as incoming Mamdani administration portends seismic shift for...

17.12.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

‘I’ll kill you’: NYPD investigating attack on Hasidic Jews on subway

Footage shows assailant grabbing Jewish man’s neck, uttering threats; US assistant attorney general for civil rights vows investigation of...

16.12.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

‘More light’: Crowd at NYC menorah lighting insists on celebration after Sydney massacre

‘More light’: Crowd at NYC menorah lighting insists on celebration after Sydney massacre

Participants in lighting of world’s largest menorah maintain upbeat atmosphere despite ‘pain beyond description’ following Bondi...

15.12.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

After meeting Mamdani, leading NY rabbi says ‘deeply’ worried about next 4 years

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch says he was ‘pleased’ to meet with mayor-elect, but remains concerned about his ‘harsh ideological...

12.12.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

New Jersey city accidentally raises Palestinian flag on intifada anniversary

Hoboken mayor apologizes, saying he was unaware that he was marking mass uprising against Israel after Palestinian residents asked him to raise flag

11.12.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Israel approves construction of 764 houses in three West Bank settlements

Smotrich says units in Hashmonaim, Beitar Illit, and Givat Ze’ev part of ‘strategic move’ to bolster settlements; Palestinian...

10.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NYC’s Lander announces run for Congress with Mamdani’s endorsement

City comptroller to take on Rep. Dan Goldman for 10th District in Manhattan and Brooklyn; both candidates are Jewish, but are separated by their...

10.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Jewish students singled out, scapegoated: Columbia releases last antisemitism report

Antisemitism Task Force says university’s Middle East studies lacks faculty who are not ‘explicitly anti-Zionist,’ seeks to balance...

10.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

UC Berkeley acknowledges discriminating against Israeli prof in legal settlement

California university’s chancellor apologizes to Dr. Yael Nativ for faculty member blocking her job application due to her Israeli identity

10.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Prominent NY rabbi: Mamdani understood Jewish community fissures better than we did

At assembly for American Zionist Movement, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove calls for ‘a new chapter of American Zionism’ that welcomes a diversity...

09.12.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Cal State investigating professor seen coaching class to oppose antisemitism bill

Video shows Melina Abdullah, a prominent activist instructor at the LA university, telling students Israeli interests have subverted Congress,...

09.12.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NY governor says Mamdani can’t actually arrest Netanyahu

Hochul distances herself from some of incoming mayor’s anti-Israel policies, after endorsing him during campaign

06.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Lebanese PM tells UN team country will need back-up force once UNIFIL’s term ends

Peacekeepers’ term ends next year after decades; with Israel saying it failed in its mission to monitor border area to prevent Hezbollah...

06.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Antisemitic attacker sentenced to 2 years in prison for 2021 beating in Times Square

Salem Seleiman pleads guilty to hate crime for violent attack on Joey Borgen, a Jewish man attending a pro-Israel rally

06.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

More than 1,100 gather in support of NYC synagogue targeted in anti-Israel protest

Rabbi of Park East Synagogue, rocked by vitriolic demonstration late last month, tells crowd, ‘This was an attack against the Jewish...

05.12.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NYC Mayor Adams signs anti-BDS order weeks before Mamdani takes office

Executive orders will present a challenge to incoming mayor as New York Jews contend with the sea change posed by Mamdani

05.12.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NYC’s public CUNY college system works to expand enrollment from yeshivas

City College of New York’s chancellor visits Brooklyn’s Yeshivah of Flatbush, as dual enrollment for Jewish religious school students...

04.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Hamas coerced Gaza aid groups by designating ‘guarantors’ inside them — report

Pro-Israel watchdog NGO Monitor says declassified documents it obtained show how terror group surveilled staff at international organizations, used...

03.12.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

New York to establish first state-sponsored Holocaust memorial

Monument will be built in the central plaza of state capital, Albany; Mamdani is one of the bill’s co-sponsors

03.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Northwestern U to pay US government $75 million to settle antisemitism complaints

Illinois university agrees to revoke deal made with anti-Zionist protesters, restoring $790 million in federal funds

01.12.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Cornell grad student union approves BDS resolution backing resistance ‘by any means’

University group frames Palestinian issue as central to global labor movement, dismisses allegations of antisemitism while purging Jewish members from...

27.11.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Moderate Jewish lawmaker Julie Menin declares win in NYC Council speaker race

If confirmed in January vote, Democrat will become city’s first Jewish speaker and could serve as a counterweight to Mamdani administration

27.11.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Mamdani transition team includes Women’s March leader embroiled in antisemitism scandal

Tamika Mallory stepped down from feminist movement in 2019 after lionizing antisemitic Nation of Islam leader and refusing to condemn discrimination...

26.11.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

NY prosecutors to retry suspect in 1979 disappearance of Jewish boy Etan Patz

Suspect due in court after conviction for the murder and kidnapping was overturned on grounds that jury received improper instructions

26.11.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Jewish book subscription program pushes back against publishing industry antisemitism

Marking the centennial of one of the Jewish Book Council’s foundational programs, ‘Nu Reads’ delivers books bimonthly with aim to...

24.11.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

UPenn Jewish groups ‘concerned’ as feds seek info on Jews for antisemitism probe

While they welcome investigation, organizations say ‘privacy, consent and safety of Jewish students, staff and faculty cannot be...

24.11.2025 80

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress

Syrian goes on trial over February knife attack at Berlin Holocaust memorial

Prosecutors says defendant embraced Islamic State ideology, sought to ‘target a person of the Jewish faith’ when he stabbed Spanish...

24.11.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Luke Tress