US Jews Divided Over Upcoming Israeli Elections Amid Rising Antisemitism

Upcoming Israeli elections scheduled for October 27 are causing significant concern and division among American Jews, exacerbated by three years of Middle East conflict that has intensified internal American debates about Israel. These divisions are evident in street protests and are expected to play a role in the upcoming US midterm elections in early November. American Jews are deeply split along political, religious, and generational lines regarding their desired outcome for the Israeli vote. The election takes place in the shadow of the ongoing trauma from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza.

Supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly among Orthodox Jews, view him as a protector of Israel, a nation central to their identity. Conversely, many liberal and younger American Jews believe his policies have damaged Israel's global standing and fueled widespread anger that could negatively impact them in the US, especially given the rise in antisemitism and antisemitic violence.

Even sharp critics of Netanyahu, whether due to the Gaza war or Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, acknowledge that not all anti-Jewish attacks can be solely attributed to him. Rabbi Dan Levin of Temple Beth El in Boca Raton, Florida, described the internal conflict: "American Jews are truly torn between two sides. They want to shout from the rooftops: 'Stop the pogroms in the West Bank,' but also shout to everyone: 'Stop accusing Israel of genocide and applying double standards to it.'"

Many American Jewish communities are organizing study sessions on the Israeli elections, reflecting a deep emotional investment despite their inability to vote. The complex Israeli electoral system makes predicting the October 27 outcome difficult, with polls indicating a close race between Netanyahu's bloc and his opponents. For many American Jews, Israel is a significant part of their identity, especially for those over 45 and identifying as religiously observant, according to a recent AP-NORC poll.

While the Reform Jewish movement, the largest in the US, emphasizes progressive values and sees no contradiction with Zionism, many Reform Jews are concerned about the growing influence of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community in Israeli politics and religious life, as well as settlement policies and the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank, which they view as contrary to their values. Rabbi Josh Weinberg of the Union for Reform Judaism warned that a Netanyahu victory could lead to disillusionment among young American Jews, potentially causing them to disengage from Israel.

The rise in antisemitism is a major concern, with a majority of American Jews viewing prejudice against them as a serious problem. Some believe a different Israeli prime minister, one more focused on peace, could alter perceptions of American Jews. However, others argue that anti-Jewish acts will persist regardless of the Israeli government, especially when anger over Israeli policies is used to incite violence against all Jews. Rabbi Jill Jacobs of T'ruah, a rabbinical human rights organization, stated that while individual perpetrators are responsible for their actions, a Netanyahu government continuing policies of occupation and conflict would create a frightening period for Jews globally.

Orthodox Jew Stanley Weinstein from Florida defends Israel's security decisions, particularly given threats from groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and rising anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric in the US. He expressed gratitude for Israel's existence. The upcoming Israeli elections, closely followed by US midterm elections on November 8, could impact the long-standing US-Israel alliance, which was particularly strong under the Trump and Netanyahu administrations. Despite recent tensions and controversial Israeli policies, support for Israel among American Jews remains significant, according to Jason Isaacson of the American Jewish Committee.