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Dr. Jacobson goes to Amsterdam: “Never Again” Rally outside Anne Frank House

Dr. Ira Jacobson is planning to travel to Amsterdam and hold a “Never Again” rally in
front of the Anne Frank House this March 2025 to show his unwavering support for
Israel and his solidarity with fellow Jews around the world. Who is Dr. Ira Jacobson and
why is he flying across the Atlantic to Amsterdam? Dr. Jacobson describes himself as
an “Unapologetic Zionist.” What does this mean to him; it means that he has immense
love and dedication to the people and land of Israel, and won’t ever apologize for it.

The rally is Dr. Jacobson’s response to the pogrom and a series of coordinated assaults
against Israeli soccer fans following the November 7th, 2024, match between Maccabi
Tel Aviv and the local Ajax team. Instead of Dutch citizens and citizens of other
European cities peacefully taking to the streets to march against the outrageous anti-
Israeli pogrom and violence against Jews, we continue to see images of pro-Hamas
demonstrations in London and Madrid splash across the news (coinciding with a
basketball matchup between Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Real Madrid). And instead of local
Dutch officials making good on their promise to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the
violent attacks or offering words of solidarity to their Jewish citizens and vowing to make
the streets of Amsterdam and other European cities safer for Jews and Israelis they
backtracked on their initial outrage. Furthermore, just two weeks ago, an Israeli
comedian’s sold-out show was canceled at the last minute; the club owner suggesting they
might be better off finding a “Jewish venue.” Appeasement to Islamists, antisemites, and
the misinformed who use every opportunity to exploit and smear the Jewish community,
will lead to an increasing trend toward utilizing high-profile cultural engagements and
sporting events to advance antisemitic political causes. Well, Palm Beach County
resident and retired physician, Ira Jacobson, is not going to hide and is not running
anymore. He is choosing to stop and confront the hate in Amsterdam this March.
Ira Jacobson was born in Rhode Island but grew up in Long Island. His father, a
teacher and assistant principal, came to the US from Kiev, which was part of the Soviet
Union around the time of Kristallnacht in 1938. His mother, an OBGYN nurse had
originally come from Czechoslovakia and remained observant her whole life. Ira lovingly
remembers thinking that it was normal to walk around in the pitch-black darkness on
Friday night until he left for college.

When asked, Ira does not remember a time when he was not aware of the Holocaust or
antisemitism. Even in his predominantly Jewish enclave of Long Island, he would hear
mean Jewish jokes, and very few New York Jews fought back. When did he experience
a pivotal shift in his attitude about standing up to antisemitism? As a medical resident at
Conney Island Hospital he remembers treating an old Jewish lady. Distraught, his
patient explained that she was being bullied and terrorized by local thugs who had
graffitied slurs on her front door. The young doctor Ira told his senior Director who was
also Jewish about what he heard, and before long, Ira found himself with his Director
and several other young Jewish men walking the hallways of his elderly patient’s
apartment building, going door to door, carrying the message “not to mess with his
elderly patient or else!”. After that evening, the vandals did not harass her anymore.

Dr. Jacobson is a Jewish Community Activist in Southeast Florida. He holds the title of
Israeli Liaison for World Herut and is a Board Member for Heroes for Israel. Ira spends
much of his time and resources helping to recruit volunteers for the SAR-EL and VFI
(Volunteers for Israel) programs. A favorite project he promotes and helps raise
awareness for is “Boots for Israel” which has helped distribute 75,000 custom
waterproof boots to IDF soldiers. He also spends his day advocating to bring a
Holocaust Museum to the residents of West Palm Beach with other like-minded
individuals. Finally, it is his goal between now and March, to bring awareness of the
continuous tide of antisemitism plaguing the world, especially in Europe, and to raise the
alarm for good people to step up and do something NOW to end the violence and
hateful rhetoric against the Jewish people and Israel.

“We just want to live our lives, but we are seeing antisemitism not just locally in the US,
but worldwide, so this time I’m crossing the Atlantic,” Jacobson says. “This is pure
racism. I believe the war started by Hamas on October 7th, gave antisemites across the
entire social and political spectrum an excuse to step out of the shadows and target the
Jewish people at any opportunity.” A report from Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs
notes that such demonstrations commonly act as catalysts for antisemitic rhetoric,
posing direct threats to Jewish communities and overall public safety.

So, what does the future hold for Dr. Ira Jacobson – besides easing his way into
retirement? He will continue to take private Hebrew language lessons from his Israeli
tutor and study Jewish teachings a couple minutes each day. Lastly, Dr. Ira Jacobson is
a top candidate on the Herut North America slate for the World Zionist Congress and he
plans to continue facing and confronting antisemitism wherever it raises its ugly head.

If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering for one of the organizations
mentioned in this article or would like to contact Dr. Jacobson, please email him at
[email protected].
Join Dr. Ira Jacobson this March in Amsterdam. Details provided upon request.
Article written by Talya Ruch