From the Frontlines in Gaza to Fighting for Truth on Campus

I never imagined that after fighting on the front lines in Gaza, I’d find myself on an even stranger battlefield — combatting misinformation and antisemitism in the United States. A fight without weapons or backup, waged not in Gaza but in lecture halls, on social media, and in the streets of America.

This isn’t about territory; it’s about truth. And right now, we’re losing.

For years, I wore an IDF uniform, serving in one of the most hostile and misunderstood regions of the Middle East. I saw what Hamas was capable of with my own eyes. I helped expose weapons caches hidden in hospitals, walked through Hamas terror tunnels built beneath UNRWA schools, and recovered the bodies of murdered Israeli hostages. I didn’t need a news report or an Instagram reel to tell me what had happened. I was there. I saw it.

Serving in the IDF

Yet, when I stepped off the battlefield in Gaza and onto my university campus in America, I faced a different kind of enemy: misinformation. Not just the blatant lies in the media but the subtle, insidious distortions—wrapped in slogans and catchy chants. Hatred masquerading as activism.

Students, professors, and even university administrators succumbed to these false narratives, enabling the truth I had witnessed firsthand to be dismissed as propaganda. Many chose to take a so-called “neutral” position—unwilling to confront the reality.

Standing Alone, Speaking the Truth

I stood on my university campus with a simple sign: “Come Talk About Israel with an IDF Soldier.” I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t there to argue—I was there to talk. To share. To explain, as plainly as I could, what I had seen.

Some people stopped. Some listened. But others—many others—hurled insults.

“Murderer.”

“Baby killer”

“War criminal.”

“Zionist pig.”

I had faced rockets and terrorists, but standing alone in front of my peers, accused of crimes I had not committed, felt like a different kind of battle.

On November 6th, it turned physical.

Max talking to students on campus

Two masked men ambushed me from behind and beat me unconscious. When I hit the ground, they showed no mercy—continuing to attack me and another Jewish student, Michael, making sure we understood exactly what they thought of us.

I wasn’t shocked by the attack itself. What shocked me was what followed.

This wasn’t just about me. This was about silencing any Jewish student who dared to speak out.

While we were in the hospital, students on campus held a sit-in—not to condemn my attackers, but to demand my expulsion. My inbox filled with threats. My face was plastered across social media with captions like “He got what he deserved” and “Wanted.”

It was clear this wasn’t just about me. This was about silencing any Jewish student who dared to speak out. It was about overwriting my reality—my truth—with their misinformed and dangerous narratives.

Fighting Back with Truth

Here’s the thing about misinformation: it only works if it goes unchallenged.

So, I decided to fight back the only way I knew how—by telling the truth.

We launched Strong Voices for Israel, an initiative of Growing Wings. Our mission is simple: to bring the truth to those who need to hear it most.

We bring IDF reservists, survivors of October 7th and the Nova Festival, injured soldiers, and Jewish activists to speak across America. We don’t argue. We don’t shout. We tell the reality many try to ignore.

Because the truth is powerful—if we dare to speak it.

How We Win

We win by exposing the lies and spreading the truth. By showing up, standing tall, and refusing to be silenced. Here’s how:

• Expose the Lies – Misinformation thrives in silence. Combat it with firsthand accounts, verifiable footage, and undeniable evidence.
• Be Unapologetically Visible – Wear a Star of David. Speak up. Show the world that Jewish resilience is not up for debate.
• Build Real Alliances – We cannot fight alone. We need interfaith allies, campus leaders, and anyone willing to stand against hate.
• Empower the Next Generation – Jewish students are being bullied into silence. We must give them the tools and confidence to push back.
• Never Stop Educating – Whether in private conversations or packed auditoriums, education is our greatest weapon.

This Is Not Just About Israel and the Jews

Let me be clear: this isn’t just about Israel.

This is about whether truth has a place in our society. Whether a Jewish student can be beaten on campus while we simply look away. Whether history is allowed to repeat itself.

The Jewish people’s right to self-determination is non-negotiable. The truth of what happened on October 7th is undeniable. And if we don’t stand up now—if we don’t take back control of our own story—then we will be forced to live in the lies others tell about us, and this Dreyfus effect will continue its dangerous pattern.

This is a critical moment. The question is: What can we do?

If you’re a student, a community leader, or someone who refuses to stay silent, invite us to speak. Bring Strong Voices for Israel to your campus. Let us share what we’ve seen, what we know, and what we’re willing to fight for.

Because when we tell the truth—when we tell our truth—we win.

Facing rising antisemitism? Find your voice and community with United Against Antisemitism (UAA) on Aish+. This safe online space empowers Jewish students and young professionals with resources, expert guidance, and a supportive network to navigate today's challenges and build a stronger Jewish future. Click here to join and turn adversity into strength.