Roy Altman on Why Educated Young People Believe Lies about Israel

In this powerful episode of The Tikvah Podcast, Judge Roy Altman, a federal judge and son of Holocaust survivors, reflects on how October 7th transformed his understanding of contemporary moral and intellectual crises in America and the West. Drawing from his experience as a jurist, Altman argues that the widespread belief in false narratives about Israel—such as accusations of genocide, apartheid, and colonialism—stems not from ignorance alone, but from a deeper collapse in the American capacity for rational, truth-based reasoning. He contrasts the disciplined, collective reasoning of juries, who, when given clear legal guidelines, arrive at sound judgments, with the fragmented, emotionally charged discourse dominating college campuses and media. Altman traces this decay to two interrelated forces: the manipulative power of digital technology and a cultural shift toward valuing 'weakness' over virtue, where the underdog is idealized regardless of moral content. He warns that this value system, especially prevalent in elite institutions, undermines the very foundations of Western civilization—courage, meritocracy, and the rule of law. His new book, *Israel on Trial*, applies courtroom logic to the six most common legal charges against Israel, demonstrating that when judged by consistent legal standards, Israel’s conduct holds up under scrutiny. Altman also situates his defense of Israel within a broader American-Jewish tradition, citing figures like Louis Brandeis and Abraham Lincoln, and calls on both Jewish and non-Jewish Americans to reaffirm their moral commitments in this pivotal moment.