I wholeheartedly agree with Gil Troy’s points about Israel in his article “What Pro-Israel Democrats Should Be Saying at the DNC” (August 22, 2024). It’s his conclusion to help the Democrats win the upcoming election that leaves me wondering. Troy writes to fight back against the anti-Israel wing of the Democratic party. That’s a noble endeavor made far trickier when the party’s leadership is piloting that wing. To be pro-Israel and vote for Kamala Harris is an oxymoron.

Troy said that the pro-Hamas protestors outside, and inside, the DNC “claim to represent the American people and the Democratic party: They don’t!” I agree. But who is the party’s candidate on the ticket? (I hesitate to use the word “nominee” as she was certainly not nominated.) The loudest voice is not always the majority. However, in this case, it is the party’s leadership. Vice President Harris missed Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, attended by rescued hostage Noa Argamani, because she had to speak to a college sorority in Indianapolis. Harris could not afford to anger, and potentially lose, her pro-Hamas voter base or “the Squad” by attending a meeting of Congress with America’s only Middle Eastern democratic ally.

Troy rightly states that the election will be won by appealing to the centrist voters of swing states. Harris ignored this advice. She skipped over a popular Democratic governor from a swing state to choose instead a governor from Minnesota, a state that has voted blue for 50 years. The question is why?

Robert Kennedy Jr., a mainstream centrist, broke away from the Democratic party. He ran as a third party candidate because the present party is not the one of his uncle, John F. Kennedy. It’s worth noting that he just endorsed the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, against his family’s wishes.

I appreciate Troy’s loyalty to the Democratic party, but we are not electing a party in November. We are electing a president. Look around. If you didn’t like America under VP Harris, you won’t like it under President Harris. If you didn’t like the Biden-Harris relationship with Israel since October 7, you won’t like it for the next four years.

As Troy said, “You can be the change.” Again, agreed. Change the fate of the Democratic party by not voting for Harris. Take the party back. Take political power away from its leaders, Harris and Walz. The Democrats of the past were the party of Eleanor Roosevelt. The Democrats of today are the party of AOC, whose name was chanted repeatedly at the DNC. Personally, I would not choose to vote merely out of loyalty to a party losing its way. I don’t see how any pro-Israel or pro-American voter can.

After reevaluating the mismatch of your Zionist views and those of your political party, you may find yourself voting Republican this time around. Should you or any centrist member of the old Democrat party decide to take the leap or dare to cross party lines, we will welcome you with open arms.

Mira Schreiber
Hillside