The Latest From @MacTaskForce
Yesterday, MTF Fellows from a variety of faith backgrounds and their communities came together in New York City to stand with Israel and with one another.
The day began at the Israel Day on Fifth parade, where students proudly marched in support of the Jewish state. Afterward, they gathered for a shared meal at Israeli restaurant Hummus Kitchen before ending the evening at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church for a choir performance.
Moments like these remind us that meaningful relationships are built by showing up for one another, not only in our own communities, but in each other’s as well.
In a time when division and hatred often dominate the headlines, these students chose something different: solidarity, friendship, and love.
This is the future MTF is building.
One of the most inspiring sights at yesterday’s Israel Day on Fifth Parade was the Druze delegation marching proudly through the streets of New York City. Druze from all over, and not just Druze from Israel, came out to show support.
The bond between Jewish and Druze communities is built on shared values, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to coexistence. From Israel’s military and public service to communities across the world, Druze and Jews have stood together for generations.
Their presence was a powerful reminder that Israel’s story is one of many communities, faiths, and backgrounds united in building a shared future.
Today and tomorrow mark the 85th anniversary of the Farhud, the brutal antisemitic pogrom carried out against the Jewish community of Baghdad on June 1–2, 1941.
During two days of violence, Jewish homes and businesses were looted, families were terrorized, and hundreds of Jews were murdered, with many more injured. The Farhud became a turning point in the history of Iraq’s ancient Jewish community — one that had existed in the region for thousands of years.
Long before the establishment of the modern State of Israel, Iraqi Jews were targeted with violence, murder, looting, and persecution simply because they were Jewish.
The Farhud is a reminder that antisemitism was never confined to Europe. It devastated Jewish communities across the Middle East and North Africa as well, contributing to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Jews from lands their families had called home for centuries.
As we remember the victims of the Farhud, we also honor the resilience of Iraqi Jews and their descendants. Educating future generations about this often overlooked chapter of Jewish history is essential.
Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams showed his solidarity, support, and allyship with the Jewish people by once again marching in the Israel on Fifth parade.
Mayor Adams said that one of the reasons he’s marching is that Jews, many from New York, marched during the Civil rights movement in the 60s, some losing their lives for standing with black people.
We are stronger when we all stand together. 🇮🇱💙
New footage from the IDF shows a Hezbollah rocket barrage striking a church in southern Lebanon, damaging a Christian place of worship and putting civilian lives at risk.
Hezbollah’s violence harms Israelis, Lebanese civilians, Christians, Muslims, and anyone living under the shadow of their extremism.
Both peoples, Israelis and Lebanese alike, have suffered for far too long under Hezbollah’s reign of terror.
Today’s Israel Day on Fifth Parade is a reminder that support for Israel comes from every background.
Alongside the Jewish community, Christians, Druze, Hindus, Sikhs, Persians, Baháʼís, Yazidis, Arab Israelis, and countless other allies will march in solidarity with the People of Israel.
The parade celebrates friendship, coexistence, and the belief that people of different faiths and cultures are stronger when they stand together.
While others tried to intimidate her into silence, Anila Ali chose courage.
The Muslim women’s empowerment advocate and interfaith leader will march in New York City’s Israel Day Parade despite receiving threats for doing so.
Real peace is built by people willing to stand together across differences, reject extremism, and refuse to let hate dictate who they can support or stand beside. Anila’s decision is a powerful reminder that coexistence is stronger than intimidation.
According to a new report from the Washington Free Beacon, a U.S. federal investigation into UNRWA is expected to expand to at least 1,500 UNRWA-linked individuals suspected of terror ties.
The report says the growing probe has intensified discussions in Washington over possible punitive measures against the U.N. agency, including sanctions, stripping UNRWA of certain legal protections, and even a potential foreign terrorist organization designation.
Concerns about UNRWA’s relationship with Hamas are not new. The USAID Office of Inspector General has already reported evidence linking current or former UNRWA staffers to Hamas affiliation and/or participation in the October 7 attacks.
Congressional oversight officials have also raised concerns about UNRWA’s transparency and cooperation with U.S. inquiries into staff members’ alleged Hamas ties.
Any organization entrusted with providing aid and education to Gazans must be transparent, accountable, and free from terrorist infiltration.
Humanitarian work cannot become a shield for terror networks.
The truth matters — and international institutions must be held to the standards they claim to represent.
