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🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

Police expert Paul Goldenberg works to keep Jewish communities safe amid rising threats

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Paul Goldenberg, a security expert, warned of rising antisemitism 20 years ago and is now working with Jewish communities globally to enhance safety.
  • Goldenberg, now deputy director at Rutgers University's Miller Center on Policing, has extensive experience in law enforcement and undercover operations.
  • He notes that police on the front lines are increasingly fearful of antisemitic protests, seeing parallels between the dehumanization of Jews and police.

Paul Goldenberg, a decorated law enforcement veteran and global security professional, has dedicated his career to protecting communities, particularly Jewish ones, from escalating threats. Two decades ago, he sounded an alarm about impending danger, warning, “The storm is coming.” While his warnings went unheeded by many at the time, Goldenberg continues his mission, traveling internationally to bolster security measures.

The storm is coming.

— Paul GoldenbergGoldenberg's past warning about impending danger to the Jewish community.

Goldenberg, currently the deputy director of the Rutgers University Miller Center on Policing, shared insights from his extensive career, which spans undercover operations and high-stakes investigations. He recounted infiltrating criminal organizations and later shifting his focus to embedding within communities under threat. His experiences, from posing as a gun-runner to consulting on "The Sopranos," have provided him with a deep understanding of human psychology and criminal dynamics.

same human dynamics.

— Paul GoldenbergGoldenberg's reflection on the commonalities in human behavior across different criminal worlds he infiltrated.

Reflecting on the current wave of antisemitic protests across Europe and the United States, Goldenberg highlighted the fear among police officers. He observed that many protesters targeting Jewish communities also harbor animosity towards law enforcement, drawing a parallel between the dehumanization of Jews by Nazis and the way some protesters view police. "They’re dehumanizing police the same way the Nazis dehumanized the Jews," he stated.

less about infiltrating criminal organizations and more about embedding myself within communities under threat.

— Paul GoldenbergGoldenberg's description of the evolution of his security work.

For nearly 30 years, Goldenberg has responded to major terror attacks worldwide within 24 hours. He has also worked closely with Israeli police for four decades, pioneering US counterterror policing training in Israel and organizing numerous police missions. His efforts aim to enhance the security of Diaspora communities through international collaboration and intelligence sharing.

terrified by what they’re seeing.

— Paul GoldenbergGoldenberg's observation on the fear experienced by police officers confronting antisemitic protests.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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