MEF Dispatch: Biden's Volte-Face on Israel, U.K. Islamists, & the Latest Developments in Europe

Biden's Volte-Face on Israel, U.K. Islamists, & the Latest Developments in Europe

By Winfield Myers ● Mar 21, 2025

Smart Brevity® count: 6 mins...1557 words

Joe Biden’s sometimes-wavering commitment to Israel after October 7 leads our issue. We then move to Islamism in the West, starting with two articles from the U.K.—one bearing bad news, the other good. From Europe, we feature three articles that consider ongoing controversies over Islamists’ efforts to infiltrate European institutions, the rise of Ramadan as a public holiday, and whether the braggadocio of an octogenarian Iranian will reopen murder investigations (it should).

ICYMI: Middle East Forum Debuts "The Forum Roundtable" Series

The Middle East Forum recently launched "The Forum Roundtable," a new monthly podcast series hosted by Lauri B. Regan, featuring globally recognized scholars and experts analyzing key Middle East issues. The inaugural episode explores the erosion of Iran’s regional influence following Israel’s strategic military operations and Donald Trump’s Middle East policy.

The distinguished panel, featuring MEF’s Michael Rubin, Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and Gabriel Noronha of Polaris National Security, provided in-depth insights into these developments and their implications.

To watch the premiere episode of The Forum Roundtable, click here.

Biden’s Volte-Face on Israel: How Decades of Support Turned into Criticism

Former President Joe Biden, once a staunch ally of Israel, faced backlash for his policy shifts amid escalating Middle East tensions.

Why it matters: Biden's pivot mirrored the Democratic Party's growing anti-Israel influence, threatening decades of U.S.-Israel strategic alignment.

His administration's actions, including sanctions on Israeli settlers and withholding critical military support, marked a stark departure from his historical stance.

The big picture: Biden's long-standing pro-Israel reputation weakened under party pressure, highlighting the Democratic Left's sway over Middle East policy.

His attempts to placate anti-Israel factions revealed a prioritization of party politics over national interests.

What's next: Biden's legacy is marred by a precarious balance between appeasing domestic factions and maintaining international commitments.

This realignment could have lasting effects on U.S. geopolitical strategy and its role in the Middle East.

The bottom line: Biden ultimately concluded that his own pro-Israel stance—perhaps as sincere as ever—had become a liability to his party’s political fortunes.

To read the full article, click here.

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New U.K. Education Leader Has a Troubling History of Extremist Ties

Sir Hamid Patel, now interim chairman of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services, and Skills (OFSTED), the U.K.’s educational standards office, is embroiled in controversy due to his extremist affiliations and troubling educational practices.

Why it matters: Patel's history with radical teachings threatens the integrity of British education.

Investigators at one of the schools he headed recorded staff declaring that clapping and whistling were “satanic,” that ties were forbidden because they could turn into serpents on the “day of judgement,” and that homosexuals should be “stoned to death.”

In 2010, a school under his leadership invited Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, a Saudi cleric notorious for calling Jews “pigs” and praying for their annihilation.

The big picture: Patel's influence extends well beyond the classroom, influencing U.K. societal values.

He oversees an Islamic charity that includes figures with hardline Salafist and Deobandi beliefs—some of whom have voiced support for the Taliban.

What's next: The U.K. government faces intense scrutiny to justify this appointment and uphold educational standards.

Patel's leadership could push U.K. schools toward an Islamist religious agenda, jeopardizing secular oversight.

The bottom line: With schools under his past leadership hosting speakers who vilified Jews and others, concerns are mounting over whether he will take real action to protect all students and root out antisemitism.

To read the full article, click here.

U.K. Court Acquits Christian Preacher Accused of ‘Blaspheming’ Islam

Karandeep Mamman, a Christian street preacher, wins a crucial legal battle against allegations of blaspheming Islam, exposing flaws in the U.K.'s approach to religious criticism and free speech.

Why it matters: The court's decision is a resounding rebuke to the Labour government and its Islamist allies’ attempt to stifle criticism of Islam with a controversial blasphemy agenda.

The case reveals alarming police bias, where threats against Mamman were ignored, yet he faced prosecution for exercising free speech.

The big picture: The ruling lays bare the collision between free speech and religious sensitivity in the U.K., spotlighting the dangers of broad "Islamophobia" definitions.

Mamman faced threats and harassment from an Islamist mob, yet was charged under the Public Order Act, showcasing a disturbing double standard.

What's next: Pressure mounts on the U.K. government to defend free speech and reconsider its stance on religious criticism.

Adopting broad "Islamophobia" definitions risks chilling vital public discourse on Islam and undermining open dialogue.

The bottom line: The Europe-wide expansion of hate-speech laws to cover blasphemy against Islam means there is now an alarming affinity between the authorities and hardline Islamic conservatives and even violent Islamist extremists.

To read the full article, click here.

Swedish Think Tank Stonewalls Before Investigating Staffer’s Links to Iran

The Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) is investigating one of its staffers, Rouzbeh Parsi, for alleged deep ties to Iranian influence operations, highlighting a critical breach in Western policy integrity.

Why it matters: Parsi’s alleged involvement with Tehran’s "Experts Initiative" casts a shadow over Western academic and think tank credibility, exposing vulnerability to hostile foreign agendas.

His participation in Iranian-guided operations raises stark alarms about unchecked influence on Western discourse.

The big picture: Swedish MP Nima Gholam Ali Pour demands accountability over state funds potentially funneled to bolster Tehran's interests.

Parsi’s actions, within UI and EU circles, illustrate the grave risks foreign influence poses to European policy integrity.

Trita Parsi, Rouzbeh’s U.S.-based brother, is also connected to Tehran. A prominent figure in academia and policymaking, he is currently the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a Washington, D.C., think tank.

What's next: The investigation could redefine UI's standing and influence Swedish government funding decisions, spotlighting the urgent need for transparency.

As Parsi remains at UI, the situation underscores the immediate threat of foreign meddling in Western think tanks.

The bottom line: This case is a wake-up call for robust defenses against foreign infiltration in Western policy-making institutions, demanding immediate action to safeguard academic and policy integrity.

To read the full article, click here.

A Troubling Trend: Europe Cancels Carnival, Celebrates Ramadan

Germany's cancellation of the Nuremberg children's carnival due to terror threats is a stark symbol of Europe's cultural surrender to Islamist supremacism.

Why it matters: The retreat from traditional festivities in favor of Islamic observances like Ramadan lights exposes a troubling imbalance in cultural priorities.

This shift evinces a capitulation to fear, reflecting the failure of Muslim immigrants to assimilate to their new country’s culture and a demand that traditional European culture be suppressed.

The big picture: Across Europe, cities are increasingly sidelining their heritage due to obsequiousness and security fears, while embracing Islamic customs without similar scrutiny.

The prominence of Ramadan celebrations in cities like Frankfurt and Berlin raises alarms about the erosion of European cultural identity.

What's next: The unchecked rise of political Islam poses a threat to Europe's foundational values, demanding urgent reevaluation of cultural policies.

As traditional events are canceled, the societal fracture deepens, risking the marginalization of historical European customs.

The bottom line: Europe's cultural trajectory is at a crossroads; a failure to defend its heritage against Islamist ideological encroachment could lead to irrevocable cultural loss.

To read the full article, click here.

Will Europe Reopen Murder Investigations After Iranian Terrorist’s Confession?

Mohsen Rafiqdoust, the octogenarian former Iranian Revolutionary Guards minister, openly boasts about orchestrating assassinations of Iranian dissidents in Europe, exposing Tehran's enduring threat.

Why it matters: Rafiqdoust's revelations highlight Iran's historical and ongoing state-sponsored terrorism across Europe, challenging international law and security.

His claims of extorting France into freeing convicted terrorists underscore the regime’s audacity and Europe's vulnerability.

The big picture: Iran’s use of terror and blackmail as diplomatic tools remains a significant challenge for European nations, demanding a stronger stance against such state-sanctioned crimes.

The regime’s willingness to leverage terrorist networks for political gain exposes a dangerous precedent.

What's next: European countries like Germany and Spain face pressure to reopen investigations and reconsider diplomatic ties with Iran.

Berlin must decide whether to seek Rafiqdoust’s extradition for Farrokhzad’s murder, while Madrid probes links between Tehran and Basque terrorists.

The bottom line: Nothing about the Iranian regime’s behavior suggests that it has changed for the better, and nothing about European policies suggests that appeasement has worked.

To read the full article, click here.

We will soon send a special issue of the Dispatch with updated information on the arrest of Georgetown academic Badar Khan Suri. The story continues to develop, and we will keep you abreast of the latest news concerning it.

As always, we invite you to forward this issue to a friend and to use the comments feature to let us know your thoughts on the Dispatch and the issues we cover.

Sincerely,

Winfield Myers
Managing Editor, Middle East Forum
Director, Campus Watch

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