US Left Turns on Jewish Allies, Disrupting Political Landscape

US Left Turns on Jewish Allies, Disrupting Political Landscape

A significant shift is occurring in American politics, where the left wing, historically a home for many Jewish voters and activists, is increasingly showing hostility towards pro-Israel Jews. This change marks a stark departure from decades of alignment and is reshaping alliances and political identities.

Antisemitism Linked to Left-Wing Extremism

Recent events highlight this unsettling trend. In Michigan, a Lebanese immigrant drove a car filled with explosives towards a synagogue, where 140 preschool children were present. Fortunately, the explosives did not detonate. The driver died in a shootout with security guards. Before the attacker’s identity was known, many Americans might not have suspected him of being a white supremacist. However, the analysis suggests that antisemitic violence, like much political violence in the U.S. today, is now often coming from the left.

Media’s Role in Explaining Away Violence

Following the Michigan incident, mainstream media outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and NPR were criticized for their reporting. The narrative focused on the attacker’s personal tragedy – the death of his family members in an Israeli strike in Lebanon. However, these reports often failed to mention that his family members were also involved in terrorism. This tendency to explain away antisemitic violence by focusing on grievances against Israel is becoming common.

Anti-Zionism Becomes Central to the Left

The reason for this shift, according to Batya, author of “The Jews and the Left,” is that anti-Zionism has become a core part of the left’s platform. This is so central that it rivals other key issues like climate activism. Celebrity climate activist Greta Thunberg, for example, is now seen as dedicating more energy to the Palestinian cause than to climate change, often appearing in public wearing a keffiyeh, a symbol associated with Palestinian nationalism.

Democrats’ Sympathy Reverses Dramatically

This ideological shift is reflected in public opinion. In less than a decade, the majority of Democrats have moved from sympathizing more with Israel to sympathizing more with Palestinians. Currently, only 17% of Democrats express more sympathy for Israel. This is particularly surprising given that for the past 100 years, American Jews have overwhelmingly voted for Democratic candidates.

Jewish Community’s Historical Role

American Jews have historically been at the forefront of liberal causes. They played significant roles in the civil rights movement, supported public school teachers, were active in the labor movement, championed civil liberties, and were key figures in the gay rights movement. For nearly 60% of American Jews, pursuing social justice is a fundamental part of their religious identity.

Political Home Becomes Hostile

Despite this deep historical connection to liberal and progressive movements, the political home for many American Jews has become unwelcoming. The term “Zionist” is now often used as a slur on the left, similar to how the term “Jew” was once used negatively. Left-wing spaces are reportedly closing their doors to Zionists, effectively shutting out proud, pro-Israel Jews. This means Jews are often told they must denounce their own people and their connection to Israel to be accepted.

A Tale of Betrayal

The book “The Jews and the Left” explores this history, starting from 1654. It examines why Jews historically aligned with the left and why that relationship has soured. The current situation, at the start of the 21st century, is that most Jews are Democrats, yet the left appears to have turned against them. This is described as a story of love and betrayal, aiming to explain a significant mystery in American political life.

Global Impact

This internal political shift within the U.S. has broader implications. The historical alliance between American Jewish communities and the Democratic Party has been a stable feature of U.S. politics for decades. As this bond weakens, it could alter voting patterns, influence foreign policy debates regarding the Middle East, and potentially create new political alignments. The increasing polarization around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even within the progressive movement, suggests a more fractured and unpredictable political future for both domestic U.S. politics and international relations concerning the region.

Source: Left‑wing spaces have shut out proud, pro‑Israel Jews: Batya (YouTube)