El-Sayed's victory exposes a growing divide between Israelis and American Jews - opinion

Abdul El-Sayed's triumph in Michigan's Senate race has prompted Israelis to ponder a widening gap between themselves and American Jews. This progressive Democrat has opposed U.S. military aid to Israel and championed controversial commentator Hasan Piker. For many Israelis, the question extends beyond the win: how can Jewish Americans back politicians whose stances starkly contradict Israel's interests, sometimes even using their Jewish identity to justify their allegiance.

This divide extends beyond Michigan, as support for progressive politicians like New York's Mayor Zohran Mamdani indicates a broader ideological shift among segments of American Jewry. From political figures like Chuck Schumer and Brad Lander to influential cultural icons, progressive identification often takes priority over traditional support for Israel.

For Israelis who view the Jewish state as the cornerstone of their identity, this stance can feel like a betrayal. However, many progressive Jewish Americans see no contradiction. Understanding this requires acknowledging that Israelis and Jewish Americans increasingly perceive Jewish identity through fundamentally divergent lenses.

For Israelis, Jewish identity is inextricably linked to sovereignty, self-determination, and security. Threats from Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah are a daily reality. A powerful Jewish state serves as the ultimate safeguard against the vulnerability that shaped centuries of Jewish history. Conversely, progressive Jewish Americans often perceive Jewish identity through a different political lens.

Healthcare, education, climate change, minority rights, and opposition to Donald Trump and the Republican Party hold greater significance for them. Israel is evaluated through this ideological prism, and support becomes contingent upon its alignment with progressive expectations.

This disparity also pertains to the notion of Jewish safety. Israelis typically grasp security through military strength and national independence. In contrast, progressive Jewish Americans frequently seek protection through political alliances with other marginalized communities, believing that solidarity against discrimination offers the most potent defense against antisemitism.

The challenge arises when these alliances include groups or activists openly hostile to Israel or even opposed to Zionism. This disparity lies at the heart of the deeper ideological divide.

Isrealis predominantly comprehend Zionism as the Jewish people's rightful movement for self-determination. However, some elements of the American progressive Left are increasingly interpreting the conflict through an oppressor-versus-oppressed framework. Israel becomes the powerful oppressor, while Palestinians are integrated into a broader narrative of systemic injustice.

Consequently, opposition to Israel, and sometimes even Zionism itself, is presented as an exercise of Jewish moral responsibility. It would be erroneous to attribute this divide solely to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Progressive activists often link Netanyahu with Trump, making him a convenient political enemy. Yet, Israeli leaders such as Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, and Avigdor Liberman maintain national security stances that align closely with Netanyahu's on core issues of Israel's survival. Therefore, replacing Netanyahu will not automatically bridge the underlying disagreement.

American partisan politics exacerbates this transformation. For Jewish voters who identify with the Democratic Party, opposition to Trump may outweigh significant reservations about a Democratic candidate's views on Israel. While American Jewry is certainly not monolithic, with many Jewish Americans remaining steadfastly committed to Israel and challenging anti-Zionism, the willingness of certain Jewish progressives to support politicians sharply critical of Israel signals a cultural shift that Israelis can no longer overlook.

The consequences transcend any specific election or government. For a growing segment of American Jewry, Israel is transitioning from an indispensable emblem of Jewish identity to a moral liability. Israelis must acknowledge that this divide is increasingly ideological rather than purely political. While Jews worldwide share a history and a peoplehood, they are increasingly at odds regarding what Jewish solidarity entails.

Their political choices merely reflect this profound transformation. Dr. Irwin J. Mansdorf, a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), offers this analysis.