Editor's Notes: A break with Israel would hurt American Jews, too - comment
Israel needs to work with Democrats and invest in Jewish education as American Jews weigh difficult political choices.
In a recent visit to the United States, Zohran Mamdani, a woman born in postwar Europe to Holocaust survivors, expressed her fear of another Holocaust. She was recently elected mayor of New York and was frustrated with her political options. When speaking with her, it became clear that many were struggling to decide how to vote while balancing their fears and values.
As an Israeli, I understand the challenge faced by American Jews when considering a politician hostile to Israel. While it is reasonable to reconsider political allegiances, one must also consider the consequences of such a change. American Jews must live with the government they elect, including its decisions on their safety and economic future.
If frustration with politics leads some Jews to withdraw from Israel, it would hurt Israel and potentially weaken American Jewish life. For many families, Israel provides a connection to their Jewish identity, which is passed on to their children. If this connection is lost, it could impact how Jewish traditions and values are maintained within these families.
Recent polling data shows a shift in Jewish voters' support among New York Democrats. In 2022, Democrats led Jewish voters by 49 percentage points, but by 2024, that lead had narrowed to just 13 points. A national survey conducted by the Jewish Electorate Institute found that 71% of Jewish registered voters preferred Democrats, essentially unchanged since March. However, 35% of Jewish Democrats felt that anti-Israel candidates made it harder to identify with their party, while many still intended to vote Democratic.
The situation is not unique to American Jews. British Jews have also reassessed their political loyalties. The Institute for Jewish Policy Research reported that Labour's share of the Jewish vote in 2019, under Jeremy Corbyn, was 12%, but increased to 44% under Keir Starmer in the 2024 election. By mid-2025, Labour's share had dropped to 30%. Other parties, such as the Greens and Reform UK, have gained support as well.
Despite these changes in public opinion, a majority of Jewish voters still identify as pro-Israel. In a survey conducted by the Jewish Electorate Institute, 86% of Jewish voters described themselves as pro-Israel, including 65% who criticized some or many Israeli government policies. This attachment to Israel among those who object to certain governance policies should be familiar to anyone following Israeli politics.
Natan Sharansky has argued that a connection to Israel helps Jews remain Jewish. He identified two factors that can slow down assimilation: tradition and Zionism. He warned that the grandchildren of Jews disconnected from both might not remain Jewish in the future. As someone who takes Sharansky seriously, I agree that Israel plays a significant role in many American Jewish lives, providing a connection to their heritage and identity.
The relationship between religion and Israel is also evident in American polling data. Gallup has found that individuals who attend religious services frequently are more likely to sympathize with Israelis. In Pew's April 2026 survey, favorable views of Israel were found among 65% of white evangelical Protestants, 64% of Jewish Americans, and 35% of Catholics, compared to 22% of the religiously unaffiliated.
For Christian Zionists, support for Israel can be a religious obligation, as they ground their mission in God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3.
As Israel's own politics evolve, it is crucial for the country to maintain a broad unity government to address internal issues and improve its standing abroad. A government composed of Likud, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's party, along with other parties, such as Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Liberman, is essential for progress.
Israel needs to work with people despite political changes, as frustration among Jewish Democrats may lead to withdrawal from Israel, hurting both countries and diminishing American Jewish life.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
