February 29, 2024

With a growing Hamas wing in the Democrat party, Republican Jews are frequently asked why so many Jews remain Democrats. In the 2020 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received a paltry 30 percent of the Jewish vote, although he is recognized as being the most pro-Israel president ever. We will know in November if Jews finally join other traditional Democrat constituents (such as blacks and Hispanics) who are telling pollsters they plan to vote red.

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On February 26, American Thinker Senior Editor Andrea Widburg wrote about a promising poll showing a seismic voting shift with New York Jews. However, in the days and weeks following the internationally recognized terror organization Hamas’ barbaric attack, Israel found more support from American Christians than from American Jews.

From entertainment to academia to government, too many well-known Democrat Jews were silent. For example, the internationally famous director Steven Spielberg was quiet for nearly two months, ignoring pleas to make a statement. In contrast, American Christian pastors and leaders immediately denounced the attack on innocent civilians and declared their support for the Jewish state.

The short answer is that many liberal Jews are like Bernie Sanders, i.e., born to Jewish parents—and that’s the end of the story. They do not identify with their Jewish heritage or religion, and even less with Israel. A recent incident convinces me that some Jews might even be on a cultural suicide mission.

Image: Jews for Palestine take to the streets. YouTube screen grab.

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In February, I attended a “Stand with Israel” luncheon. Whenever I am invited to Jewish and/or pro-Israel events, I always ask at least one Christian friend to come as my guest. At the luncheon, one of my three friends was Denice Gary-Pandol, a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Her in-depth understanding of Middle East issues is among the many reasons she is frequently sought after to speak on strategic issues facing the United States.

The ballroom was filled with Israel supporters, reflecting how the vicious October 7 Hamas slaughter has forced Jews to rethink “Never Again.” Having former Israeli Ambassador (and American-born) Michael Oren as the guest speaker also generated immense interest.

Following the delicious kosher lunch, we sat spellbound as Oren shared what was happening inside the Jewish state, now fighting for its survival. Oren, who has previously worked with the White House, Congress, and the CIA on crucial strategic issues, including the Iron Dome defense system and the Iran nuclear threat, told us the good, the bad, and the ugly…but it was still a positive conversation.

Then, it was time for questions. Many hands went up, and the first question was from a gentleman seated at my table. During lunch chatter with Gary-Pandol, he had shared that he was a Democrat.

Was this Jewish Democrat’s question about Israelis who had been raped, mutilated, injured, kidnapped, or killed on October 7? Did he want an update on the hostage situation? Did this Jewish Democrat focus on Israel winning its fight for survival while Joe Biden is more interested in winning Arab votes in Michigan?

Of course not! His diatribe, booed by some, was centered on how the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had destroyed most of Gaza’s infrastructure and homes. He had the chutzpah to claim that IDF’s actions explained the rise in anti-Semitism. He closed by asking, “Was the Gaza destruction necessary?”