StandWithUs
StandWithUs is an international nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, dedicated to promoting education about Israel and combating antisemitism through advocacy, training programs, and legal resources.[1][2] The group operates chapters and offices across the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, and other locations, delivering initiatives on six continents to counter misinformation, empower pro-Israel voices, and foster informed discussions, particularly on university campuses where it addresses what it identifies as biased narratives and discriminatory practices.[1][3] Established by Roz Rothstein, Jerry Rothstein, and Esther Renzer amid the Second Intifada to provide balanced perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, StandWithUs emphasizes non-partisan Israel education for audiences of all ages, including high school and college students, through resources like films, curricula, speaker training, and solidarity missions to Israel.[2][1] Its activities extend to challenging boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaigns and filing complaints against alleged antisemitic incidents or faculty misconduct in academic settings, often via its Saidoff Legal Department.[1][4] The organization has received strong financial accountability ratings from evaluators like Charity Navigator, reflecting effective management of donations for its advocacy goals.[5] While praised by supporters for strengthening Jewish and pro-Israel communities against rising antisemitism—especially following events like the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks—StandWithUs has drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian activists and outlets, who accuse it of stifling dissent, promoting one-sided narratives, and engaging in aggressive lobbying tactics on campuses.[6][4][7] Such critiques often emanate from sources aligned with opposition to Israeli policies, highlighting tensions in public discourse over Israel-related advocacy, though StandWithUs maintains its efforts defend civil rights and combat extremism without partisan affiliation.[1][8]