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President Joe Biden’s decision to award George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom is an alarming misjudgment that undermines the principles this prestigious award is meant to honour.

Soros, a billionaire financier and philanthropist, has been a polarizing figure whose funding activities have directly and indirectly contributed to antisemitism and division, both in the United States and abroad.

Through his Open Society Foundations (OSF), Soros has funnelled billions of dollars into organizations critical of Israel, often amplifying anti-Israel narratives that flirt dangerously with antisemitic tropes. Soros himself has openly expressed disdain for Israeli policies and actions. In a 2003 op-ed for The New York Review of Books, Soros claimed, “The policies of the Bush administration and the Sharon administration contribute to that [rising antisemitism]. It’s not specifically antisemitism, but it does manifest in anti-Jewish sentiment.” Critics argued that Soros effectively blamed Israel for antisemitism, a dangerous and historically flawed narrative.

One of the most controversial beneficiaries of Soros’s funding is Human Rights Watch (HRW). The organization, which has received significant support from OSF, published a widely criticized 2021 report accusing Israel of practising “apartheid.” Such accusations echo inflammatory rhetoric that delegitimizes Israel and emboldens its detractors. Meanwhile, HRW has been accused of turning a blind eye to blatant human rights abuses in neighbouring regimes, focusing disproportionately on Israel.

Soros has also financially backed J Street, a U.S.-based organization that markets itself as “pro-Israel” but has consistently supported policies that undermine the Jewish state’s security and legitimacy. Furthermore, Soros-funded Breaking the Silence, an Israeli NGO, has provided material seized upon by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which Soros himself has indirectly supported through funding other groups like Adalah and Al-Haq. These groups frequently accuse Israel of war crimes, further stoking anti-Israel sentiment worldwide.

In a 2010 interview with The Washington Post, Soros declared, “I don’t think you can ever overcome antisemitism if you behave like a victim. Israel, as a nation, should not respond to antisemitism by overreaching.” Such remarks reflect his controversial view of Israeli actions as overzealous responses to global criticism, a sentiment that many argue distorts the complexities of Israel’s geopolitical reality.

By awarding Soros this prestigious honour, Biden legitimizes the destructive consequences of Soros’s philanthropy, which have not only emboldened anti-Israel sentiment but also alienated the Jewish community. This decision sends a troubling signal about the administration’s priorities and its apparent disregard for the nuances of rising global antisemitism.

Biden’s embrace of Soros represents a dangerous departure from the principles of justice and freedom this award is meant to uphold. If this is the face of modern progressivism, it is no surprise that so many are questioning its commitment to truth and unity.

Adam Kreuzer is an experienced Political Commentator, Columnist, Copywriter and Author residing in Melbourne, Australia with published content on a range of platforms. Adam has a demonstrated track record actively promoting centre-right, conservative political initiatives, projects and activities both individually and through executive involvement in a range of prominent communal organisations.