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Since the end of WWII, the American Jewish community has lived in relative safety and prosperity compared to Jewish history. Decades of social comfort allowed for a political activity based on preference and not necessity. Throughout that period, the Jewish community focused political capital almost exclusively on the American left, often rejecting overtures from the right. While historically expedient, this strategy is now shortsighted. The current moment requires heightened realism and political pragmatism.
Over the last twenty-five years, we’ve seen political trends swing in both directions. Neither political party is perfect. Yet, the Jewish community doesn’t have the luxury of accepting support from one political camp at the expense of the other. And now, with an incoming conservative White House and Congress, Jewish organizations, advocates, and activists must collaborate across the political spectrum. When deciding who to support or who to accept support from, there are three questions every Jewish American should ask:
- Do they support the existence of a Jewish State of Israel in peace and security?
- Do they stand against Jew-hatred (antisemitism) in America and globally?
- Do they support the idea of Jewish peoplehood (Am Yisrael), a global community of people who share a common religion, history, culture and a homeland in Israel?
Antisemites populate both the Left and the Right
The Jewish community has viewed the political left as a natural ally for a century, driven by traditionally shared values of civil rights andsocial justice. Jewish activism has been deeply intertwined with progressive causes and included a shared commitment to fighting hate.Yet, the American political landscape is shifting.
In recent years progressive circles have embraced hostility towards Israel and often, by extension, toward Jews. The evolution of the Islamo-leftist alliance, the rise of the so-called “Squad” in Congress, along with the normalization of anti-Israel rhetoric on the left, has too often been ignored and dismissed by American Jews. Within the left, Israel is continuously demonized and Jews are routinely asked to choose between their identity and their party loyalty.
The far-right, with leaders such as Richard Spencer and David Duke, has always maintained allegiances with dangerous advocates, activists, and commentators. Just as the far-left is toxic for Jews, the far-right wishes to let Israel to fend for itself against our common enemies. However, while mainstream conservatism does not embrace antisemitism, certain conservative elements like the “neo conspiracists” associated with populist nationalism, conspiracy theories, and anti-elite rhetoric, with leaders such as Tucker Carlson, are either promoting, flirting with or tolerating antisemitic theories.
The Jewish community has over-indexed its political capital within Democratic circles and struggled to maintain an open-eyed realism of the left’s current shortcomings. The solution, however, is not to replicate the same mistake and blindly support the right, but to work holistically with common allies left and right of center across the entire spectrum.
Trump’s Record of Support for Israel and the Jewish Community
During the first Trump administration, the United States led some of the most significant pro-Israel actions in modern history. From moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem to recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, President Trump, the Republican party, and Christian Zionists demonstrated unwavering support for Israel. These were not just symbolic gestures—but concrete historic changes that have had a lasting impact on Israel’s security, and the future of the Jewish people.
And on Iran, the Trump administration used maximum pressure to ensure that this evil regime would never get nuclear weapons by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, a move that was overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli government but discontinued under the Biden-Harris administration. The Republican position against Iran could have ensured that Israel has the freedom to defend itself without the threat of a terror sponsoring nuclear-armed regime and numerous terror groups next door.
The Trump administration took significant steps to combat the rise of antisemitism on both sides of the political aisle, particularly by signing an executive order to protect Jewish students on college campuses and expanding the definition of antisemitism under federal civil rights law. Just last week Trump announced that his new administration will cut government funding to universities who do not proactively fight antisemitism on their campuses. This is crucial in addressing the growing problem of Jew hatred on American campuses, which in the last year became endemic among progressive and Islamist activists.
Despite these actions in defense of the Jewish people, Jewish Americans overwhelmingly supported Kamala Harris in the recent election. These results demonstrate that American Jewish political inclinations are still inflexible. As we move into the next era of Jewish life, however, Jewish Americans must become less ideologically rigid, and more unconditional in their support of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
A Vision for a Collaborative Future
It’s time for the Jewish community to embrace a more collaborative, strategic approach to political engagement. We should not tie our fate to one political party or ideology. Instead, we should work with whichever administration, NGO, or activist group, Democrat or Republican, Progressive or Conservative, that is committed to protecting American values, Jewish interests and sustaining a strong alliance with Israel.
This does not mean abandoning values or turning our backs on long-standing relationships. Rather, it means acknowledging that political landscapes change, and alliances should not be dictated by tradition or blind loyalty but rather by a clear-eyed pragmatism. Whether the White House is occupied by a Republican or a Democrat, our goal must always be to ensure that America and the Jewish community remain strong and protected.
In a world where antisemitism is on the rise and Israel is increasingly under siege by those who wish to destroy it, it is not enough to rely on either flawed political camp. We must work with anyone, on either side of the aisle, who will support our core values and stand with us against common enemies.
The future of the Jewish community, and of Israel, depends on our ability to engage with a broad spectrum of political thought. By working collaboratively with any leader who supports the Jewish people, we can advance Israel’s security, combat antisemitism, and ensure the continued flourishing of Jewish life in America. Let us not allow political partisanship to cloud our vision, but rather, let us forge alliances that strengthen our community, regardless of party affiliation, and protect our values for generations to come.
Adam Milstein is an Israeli-American “Venture Philanthropist.” He can be reached at adam@milsteinff.org, on Twitter @AdamMilstein, and on Facebook www.facebook.com/AdamMilsteinCP.
Originally published by the Jerusalem Post.
End the Jew Hared by refunding the Universities that invite these Islamic Fanatics unless they can also allow for a Jew to offer their side
Our Jewish people in the United States have indeed had multiple decades of relative safety, prosperity and strong affiliations with the formerly, civil-rights oriented Democratic Party. However, that allegience has been steadily drifting toward the accomplishment of leftist, multicultural goals born of their desires for the national implementation of Marxist-Communist principles “fundamentally transforming America” from a capitalist economy to a government owned and controlled dictatorship by the Democratic, authoritarian party, Former Islam-loving Barak Obama, himself a virulent antisemite, spoke often of this transformation.
That our Jewish people witnessed his deference to Middle Eastern countries engaging in a deal with Iran and providing them with obscene amounts of cash thereby enabling the Ayatollah to further Shiite terrorism through their murderous proxies should have been summoning, wake-up call for all of American Jewry.
During these decades of relative safety and prosperity, the left was investing in years of masterful propaganda by slowly acculturating Jews and America into accepting the progressive tenants of “multicultural inclusion”.
As this affiliation grew, our people exited our synagogues choosing liberating beliefs effectively replacing the mitzvot of our Torah with far less demanding secular practices and the welcome integration of our people into readily accepting and accommodating secular and interfaith marriages. This election showed the nefarious leftist cards of marginalization, control, media lies and spin and the weaponization of our legal system against political adversaries. DANGER, DANGER, DANGER!!
The truth is the Tenach teaches us throughout our history the eventual results when our people forsake both G-d and our mitzvot by assimilating into other cultures: we easily become the scapegoat for all a culture’s ills and then we become its hated target again and again and again!. Our obscene need to be accepted is a major source of our repetitive failure to live peacefully and productively among other people without becoming them.
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Zionism is a scourge on humanity. And don’t kid us with your dialectic, AIPAC controls both Republicans and Democrats.
Go to hell ` • .
OK we won’t. GFY.
Is your stupidity learned or genetic?
It is cultivated.
For the last hundred years, Jews have associated with left wing, Marxist politics. Whatever reason is presented for this leaning, it never makes any sense. Maybe Jews think that under socialist policies people are treated equitably, which is not the case. The democrat party here has had Jewish support; ie, they are tolerated for their vote and financial contributions. They have also had the support of the black community; ie, they are tolerated for their vote. Neither group gains anything of value in exchange for their loyalty. Blacks, in larger numbers, are realizing that the Democrats are not benefitting their community. The writer’s suggestion that Jews play both ends of the political spectrum is faulted and is likely to be detrimental to Jews. In addition to picking their party for idealogical goals, Jews need to strongly consider the benefit to them and the Jewish homeland. Playing both sides of the political fence with likely get Jews a picket up the tuchas. The more religious the “sect” the more aligned they are to the Republicans. The yarmulke wearing Jews sense that the right wing is more apt to perform to the Jewish benefit. Jews need to wake up to the fact that their association with the Democrats is not helpful to them.
Despite these actions in defense of the Jewish people, Jewish Americans overwhelmingly supported Kamala Harris in the recent election. These results demonstrate that American Jewish political inclinations are still inflexible.
I tried to erase this part for you Daniel, but I can’t edit things here like WIKI.
Jewish non-orthodox women voted in greater number for the malibu ticket than black women at 92%.
Not that it matters, but it is the dims most doggedly loyal group.
The Jews who support the Left will disappear in a generation. Is it any surprise that Bernie Sanders, Rob Reiner, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and “Dougie” Emhoff will never have something Donald Trump has: a Jewish grandchild.. Moreover, if you look at places where Jews actually procreate enough to replace themselves and transmit Judaism to their children and grandchildren (Boro Park, Midwood, Crown Heights, Riverdale, Teaneck and Monsey) the overwhelming majority voted for Trump. You can also be sure that if G-d forbid, Israel were destroyed and its Jews had an existential need for rescue, the Democrats and the Left would suddenly develop a passion for border security, keeping immigrants out and non-interventionism abroad
Okay article except what you call the far right is actually the Left.
Zionism is detestable
As is genocide to accomplish it’s goals.
Apparently you are unable to read and understand the fundamental tenants of Islam. Not to worry, your antisemitic virtual signaling won’t matter when they come for you…and it won’t be called genocide and ethnic cleansing of you and your yours either; it will be them ridding the world of infidels, of which you are likely one And your hatred against the Jewish people is your ignorance of the Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi and Iranian declarations of their intended genocide for all Jews!! And if you are a Muslim, move aside as God’s eternal covenant is with the Jewish people from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob….not Ishmael…and that means your so called prophet, is not one of ours.
Better yet, when Hamas unlawfully invaded Israel, a sovereign nation, they started a war; stop crying about the consequences, they are the casualties/deaths of war that Hamas started.
And if you’re so concerned about genocide, what did you do when Assad gassed the Syrians, when the Kurds and Armenians were killed by genocide. And what about all the Ukrainian deaths?
Tsk, tsk…go to a platform of your own ilk, possibly Tik Tok, where your double-digit IQ will be met with others of limited intelligence screeching out their ignorance just like you!
“God’s eternal covenant is with the Jewish people from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob….”
True. And Israel was near “the day of the Lord,” and “the time of Jacob’s trouble” some 2000 years ago. Also, at the same time, they were well into the fifth and final course specified in Leviticus chapter 26.
In Matthew 3:7, John the Baptist said, “…who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” John was referring to “the day of the Lord,” Joel 1:15. John wasn’t talking about something which was to happen thousands of years later. It can’t be said,”That’s the N.T.” When John said that, that was on O.T. ground. The blank page between the so-called old and new, rather represents God’s 400 years of silence against Israel foretold by Amos. John broke that silence.
So, a very long time ago, Israel was looking for the fulfillment and establishment of the Abrahamic, Davidic and new covenant’s. Even the image Nebuchadnezzar saw was just about historically complete and.ready to be smashed some 2000 years ago. What happened to the fulfilling of Exodus 19:6?