In his letter in last week’s edition of The Jewish Link (February 29, 2024), Martin Polack asks, “How can Jews, especially Orthodox Jews, continue to vote Democrat?” The question seems genuine, so I’ll take a stab at a response. In full disclosure, I’m a member of the Orthodox community as well as the Teaneck Democratic Municipal Committee (though I’m writing in my personal capacity). I’m also an ardent Zionist, with a brother serving in reserve duty in the IDF, a sister in Tel Aviv, and other relatives throughout Israel.
First, the Democratic Party’s priorities align closely with my own. Those include: equality of opportunity for all Americans, access to affordable healthcare, building a strong economy by lowering costs for working families, protecting women’s reproductive freedom, updating our immigration system in a humane manner, supporting the rule of law and our law enforcement officers, addressing the pernicious effects of climate change, recognizing America’s unique role as a beacon of freedom, and ensuring secure and easy access to the ballot for all eligible citizens. Those values are reflected more in today’s Democratic Party than in the Republican Party, especially one in the thralls of Donald Trump.
Second, in contrast to the disarray and obstructionism that have been the hallmark of Congressional Republicans, Democrats are interested in governing to improve the lives of ordinary Americans. Among their many achievements in the past three years, Democratic leadership has delivered consequential legislation for the American people. This includes investing in infrastructure, expanding benefits to veterans, investing in domestic semiconductor manufacturing to address supply chain challenges and strengthen national security, investing in domestic energy production, lowering prescription drug prices, and increasing resources for law enforcement to expand domestic violence prevention programs.
Meanwhile, Democratic policies have led to a far stronger economy than forecasters had predicted, after former president Trump badly mismanaged the COVID-19 response. Inflation is down to 3.1% from a high of 9.1% in June 2022. Unemployment is back to pre-pandemic levels at 3.7%. Over the past twelve months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.5%, outpacing inflation. Our GDP grew last year by 2.5%, significantly higher than any other large advanced economy.
Third, I share Mr. Polack’s concern about Israel and the US-Israel relationship. Thankfully, there is broad support among both American and Israeli Jews for President Biden and how his Administration has handled the Israel-Hamas war.
For example, former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren called Biden’s speech in October “the most passionately pro-Israel in history.” Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, a Likud MK, praised “the total enlistment in actions and words of our closest friend the United States. President Biden proved that he is a friend in a time of need, a leader of stature.” Nathan Diament, executive director of public policy for the Orthodox Union, thanked Biden for speaking “so clearly in support of the Jewish people and Israel,” and for his “leadership and moral clarity.”
These anecdotes reflect the broader data. According to a November 2023 poll, more than 80% of US Jewish voters approve of specific actions Biden has taken to support Israel in its war with Hamas, including visiting the country, dispatching aircraft carriers to the Mediterranean Sea, and having senior American officials attend Israeli war cabinet meetings. And according to a December poll, 40% of Jewish Israelis want Biden to be reelected in 2024, compared to just 26.2% for Trump.
It is hardly surprising that many Israelis have soured on Trump. They likely recall how Trump burned an Israeli spy deeply-embedded with ISIS by divulging classified information to Russian emissaries in 2017.
Trump’s 2019 decision to withdraw US forces and stand aside as Turkey slaughtered our Kurdish allies in Syria was also met with deep concern in Israel. Michael Oren wrote that he was no longer sure Israel could rely on the US, under Trump, to come to Israel’s aid at a time of serious war. Likud MK Yuval Steinitz, then a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said, “I think the US isolationist approach is problematic for the entire world, and for our region as well.”
Steinitz was prescient. Following Trump’s “America First” lead, the Republican Party is growing increasingly isolationist. Congressional Republicans appear unwilling to further aid Ukraine in its just and defensive war against Russian aggression, a decision that will have far-reaching implications. As Nachama Soloveichik, communications director for Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign, warned, “Just watch… This new Republican Party will soon throw Israel under the bus.”
And I haven’t even addressed Trump’s race-baiting, unyielding attacks on the rule of law; months-long attempt to overthrow the results of a free and fair election that he lost, culminating in mayhem at the Capitol, obstructing a DOJ investigation by lying about retaining classified material, dining with and elevating antisemites, white supremacists, and conspiracy theorists, suggesting the termination of the Constitution, sexually assaulting a woman, and threatening to treat NATO like a protection racket while inviting Russia to invade our democratic allies who don’t pay up.
None of that makes American Jews safer or strengthens America’s ties to Israel.
I have many Republican friends. Some of them even voted for Trump. I know their reasons for doing so. But I remain convinced that a vote for Trump is contrary to the interests of Americans, Jews, and the US-Israel relationship. I invite Mr. Polack to reach out to me if he’d like to know more about why American Jews overwhelmingly vote Democratic.
