A new organization has launched to advance pro-Israel politics in New York, the Times has reported, explaining that the group views itself as a “counterweight to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) and the Democratic Socialists of America [DSA].”

While we’d prefer that our enemies give up on politics for good, this sort of desperation from the global and local right — which used to take the popularity of Zionism in New York politics for granted — is probably a positive sign. The creation of New York Solidarity Network (NYSN) shows us that the Israeli right is deeply spooked by the rise of NYC-DSA, and even more by the young left’s readiness to criticize Israel’s apartheid regime and horrifying treatment of the Palestinians. Solidarity with Palestinians is especially on the rise among young American Jews, to the distress of Israel’s propagandists. Having viewed New York as solidly friendly Zionist terrain for years, those demanding uncritical support for Israel now see that things are changing.

In other words, the launch of the NYSN is a testament to recent successes on the Left.