US 250th Independence Anniversary Sparks Debate Over Zionist Influence

On July 7, 2026, Steve Feldman, executive director of a U.S. Zionist organization, published an article in the JNS newspaper linking Zionism to the founding of the United States. Feldman argues that Zionist ideas have been part of American culture for 250 years, citing historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, and pointing to references to Moses in the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court. He also highlights past presidential support for a Jewish national homeland, from Warren Harding’s 1922 resolution to Harry Truman’s prompt recognition of Israel in 1948 and Ronald Reagan’s 1982 statement.

JNS editor Jonathan Topin wrote a separate piece on July 10, 2026, portraying the anniversary celebrations as “bleak” because many Jews now view America as unsafe amid rising anti‑Semitry. He quotes Vermont Democrat Bernie Sanders accusing Israel of a Gaza massacre and likening it to atrocities in Sudan and Russia, illustrating the growing criticism of Israel within U.S. politics. Both articles discuss the complex historical and contemporary relationship between America and Zionism during the 250th‑anniversary observances.