Democrats in Israel wrestle with progressive anti-Israel bias as 500,000 Israeli-Americans prepare for US elections – report

The arms of the Republican and Democratic parties in Israel have begun their registration drive campaigns to prepare some half a million Israelis with American citizenship for the contentious U.S. elections this November.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza War, the debate over which presidential candidate would be better for Israel has been raging, while many American and Israeli Jews have been shocked at the intensity of anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric on American streets, as well as from the mouths of progressive politicians.

According to a report in the Jewish Insider on Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Israel estimates there are approximately 500,000 U.S. citizens in Israel. Most of them vote Republican, the heads of the Republicans Overseas Israel and American Democrats in Israel told the Jewish Insider.

Both organizations advise potential voters on deadlines and procedures, and hold election events, such as town hall meetings and debates before the elections.

The Democrats’ expat group was recently roiled by a controversy over anti-Israel and antisemitic comments from its mother organization, causing it to split from the Democrats Abroad organization and instead affiliate with the Jewish Democratic Council of America earlier this year.

Ethan Kushner, chairman of American Democrats in Israel, said that shortly after Oct. 7, he notified Democrats Abroad Global Leadership that Hamas terrorists had murdered Hayim Katzman, the son of a board member, as well as Eviatar and Lilach Kipnis and their Filipino caregiver Paul Castelvi, who were relatives of an active member, Dan Smith.

While the leadership didn’t send condolences or even an acknowledgement, anti-Israel comments and accusations of genocide began circulating in the organization’s caucuses.

Kushner said his group wanted to stay within the Democratic Party, but “we felt – this was even before antisemitism in the U.S. was rearing its ugly head – that it wasn’t the environment for us. We didn’t feel comfortable having this thrown at us from within the rank and file of some of the ultra-progressive elements within Democrats Abroad.” 

In their resignation letter, the nine Israeli board members lamented “the hostile environment in Democrats Abroad against Jews in general and… American Jews living in Israel in particular.”

“The failure of Democrats Abroad’s leadership to distinguish between a terrorist attack on civilians and a sovereign nation’s response to that attack is a major reason behind our decision,” they wrote, according to Haaretz. 

Kushner said that the anti-Israeli views showcased by the Democrats Abroad reflect larger trends within the party, citing the infamous “Squad” of ultra-progressives as an example.

“We are working together with our friends in the U.S. to ensure that there will always be enough votes on the Democratic Party side to maintain a strong Israel. That’s the only message I have towards members of the Squad. Luckily, they’re still a minority within the party,” Kushner said.

The organization re-launched on Thursday, co-hosting a webinar with the Jewish Democratic Council of America with the attendance of vocally pro-Israel Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and now intends to focus on the upcoming election.

Kushner said his organization is in “constant activity and get-out-the-vote activities ensuring American expatriates living in Israel are registered to vote in their home districts, assisting potential voters in obtaining their absentee ballots and ensuring they get them to their local secretaries of state."

He added: "We’re currently canvassing, especially in areas where we have a strong base,” and that the voters he has spoken to are “primarily looking at domestic politics in the U.S.”

“We’re obviously thinking about how the U.S.-Israel relationship will play out, but the overall concern by voters is what would happen to domestic policies in the U.S. in the event that Donald Trump wins the 2024 election.”

His counterpart Mark Zell, the chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, said there was “a great deal of demand” for Republican gear such as hats and shirts. He said that many Americans who move to Israel as Democrats become more Republican over time.

“They understand that the Democratic Party, which was once a strong supporter of Israel, has ceased to be that. I think people understand that the Republican Party has Israel’s interest genuinely at heart, and they vote accordingly.”