Irv Rubin - Jewish Defense League Activism

Jewish Defense League Activism

Rubin became the successor to JDL founder Rabbi Meir Kahane, after the latter moved to Israel in 1985 and formed the Kach Party, which was eventually outlawed by the Israeli Government as "racist".

In 1985 it was reported that Rubin said about the bombing of the home of revisionist historian Dr. George Ashley, "It's too bad that Mr. Ashley wasn't blown up" and "I applaud those who took such actions. I think these people have a righteous place in the world." More moderate Jews also criticized him. Rob Eshman, the Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles noted "In the solar system of Jewish life, Irv Rubin is Pluto" and asserted "Here in Los Angeles, for years now Rubin has been escorted out of far more Jewish events than he’s ever been invited in to."

In 1985 Alex Odeh, the local chairman of the pro-Palestinian American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) was killed by a bomb while opening the door to his Santa Ana, California office. Rubin was suspected, and further antagonized his opponents by saying that "Odeh got what he deserved." However, the JDL has insisted the attack was committed by others. The FBI was unable to prove its original allegations. The crime remains unsolved. The investigation of Rubin was headed by FBI special agent Mary Hogan, the same agent who signed the affidavit accusing Rubin of planning to destroy government property and other targets in 2001.

Before joining the Libertarian Party in 2000, Irv Rubin was an active Republican, and served as a page at the 1964 Republican National Convention, at which Barry Goldwater was nominated to run for the presidency. Irv Rubin’s joining the Libertarian Party was greeted with shock by many members because of the allegations of terrorism against JDL and Rubin himself. Membership requires a pledge to not "initiate force." In June 2001 Rubin let it be known he was considering running for governor of California on the Libertarian ticket, renewing controversies among libertarians.

Rubin regularly attended rallys held by the KKK and Aryan Nations to shout down speakers and otherwise try to disrupt the proceedings. He often brought some of his followers to assist. During the civil suit brought by the SPLC against the Aryan Nations founder Pastor Richard Butler held in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho in 2000, Rubin stayed for at least 4 days holding vigil during the proceedings. He frequently spoke out against Butler and his followers also holding vigil.