The war against Iran, led by Israel and the United States, is perceived in American Muslim discourse as further reinforcing the “Israel First” perception, which suggests that the Trump administration is increasingly prioritizing pro-Israeli interests over American domestic concerns. This trend was evident among prominent Muslim speakers in the United States after October 7. It has been shaped, in part, by the actions of the governors of Texas and Florida against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as well as by the fallout of the Jeffrey Epstein affair in public discourse—events seen as illustrating pro-Israeli involvement and influence in the American arena.
For example, the popular imam Omar Suleiman, founder of the Yaqeen Institute in Texas, linked Israel’s war against Iran to the Epstein affair, framing those leading the military actions against Iran as “pedophilic warmongers” who are dragging the world into conflict for political distraction, allegedly under the guise of “defending freedom.” CAIR, which accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of promoting an “Israel First” policy influenced by pro-Israeli actors while diverting attention from Gaza, continues to express similar sentiments regarding the war with Iran. According to the organization, the push for war is driven primarily by the interests of the Netanyahu government rather than US security needs; therefore, American interests should come first, and military escalation should be avoided. Furthermore, in the context of the “Israel First” narrative, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has emphasized that military escalation against Iran does not serve the American national interest, but rather stems from external (Israeli) considerations that do not reflect the public’s will, which seeks to focus on domestic issues and local stability.
Thus, alongside the significant military struggle against the Iranian regime, which is associated with Israeli interests, it should be remembered that these actions may intensify the “Israel First” perception in American public discourse, deepen political tensions and criticism toward Israel, and further harm its standing among the American public.
The war against Iran, led by Israel and the United States, is perceived in American Muslim discourse as further reinforcing the “Israel First” perception, which suggests that the Trump administration is increasingly prioritizing pro-Israeli interests over American domestic concerns. This trend was evident among prominent Muslim speakers in the United States after October 7. It has been shaped, in part, by the actions of the governors of Texas and Florida against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as well as by the fallout of the Jeffrey Epstein affair in public discourse—events seen as illustrating pro-Israeli involvement and influence in the American arena.
For example, the popular imam Omar Suleiman, founder of the Yaqeen Institute in Texas, linked Israel’s war against Iran to the Epstein affair, framing those leading the military actions against Iran as “pedophilic warmongers” who are dragging the world into conflict for political distraction, allegedly under the guise of “defending freedom.” CAIR, which accused Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of promoting an “Israel First” policy influenced by pro-Israeli actors while diverting attention from Gaza, continues to express similar sentiments regarding the war with Iran. According to the organization, the push for war is driven primarily by the interests of the Netanyahu government rather than US security needs; therefore, American interests should come first, and military escalation should be avoided. Furthermore, in the context of the “Israel First” narrative, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has emphasized that military escalation against Iran does not serve the American national interest, but rather stems from external (Israeli) considerations that do not reflect the public’s will, which seeks to focus on domestic issues and local stability.
Thus, alongside the significant military struggle against the Iranian regime, which is associated with Israeli interests, it should be remembered that these actions may intensify the “Israel First” perception in American public discourse, deepen political tensions and criticism toward Israel, and further harm its standing among the American public.