Introduction:

October 7th, 2023, will forever be etched into the hearts of Jews around the world as one of the darkest days in our peoples’ history. In a brutal surprise attack, Hamas terrorists killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including men, women, children, and seniors. As of June 2025, only a fraction have returned home; many remain in captivity or have been confirmed dead. Like every war in the region since the founding of the State of Israel, this one was instigated by those who seek to wipe the world’s only Jewish state off the map, hence the slogan “From the River to the Sea”. The horrors of that day—and the continued angst felt by the loved ones of those still missing—was not just an Israeli tragedy, but a deeply personal one for Jews in every corner of the world.

The international response has been mixed. In the United States, the fractures within the Democratic Party have only deepened. As we look toward the future of our party and our country, we must confront a fundamental question: will the Democratic Party continue to stand with American Jews and our democratic ally Israel—or will it cede moral clarity in pursuit of fringe ideological demands?

Moral clarity means placing the blame on this humanitarian tragedy where it belongs—on the barbaric terrorists who kill and kidnap innocent people in the name of ‘resistance’. It means supporting the only country in the history of the world that provides humanitarian aid to an entity that initiated a war against it. That moral clarity isn’t just a matter of principle; it’s a political necessity. In the absence of clear, consistent values, the Democratic Party has opened itself up to internal pressure campaigns that demand ideological purity over practical progress. Rather than banding together to save American democracy, factions of the far-left made demands they knew couldn’t be met, then walked away from the ticket when they weren’t. The result: a fractured coalition, a weakened message, and—most dangerously—a paved path for Donald Trump’s return to power. The Democratic Party cannot afford to sacrifice its base or its values to satisfy those who refuse to show up when it matters most. 

2024 Recap:

By voting third-party or even abstaining from voting entirely because their uncompromising demands weren’t met, the far-left rolled out the red carpet for Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Many of these demands, including an immediate end to all U.S. aid to Israel, an unconditional, permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and support for movements like BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions), were far outside the Democratic Party’s mainstream platform. While these ‘progressive’ activists demanded ideological purity, they ultimately abandoned the ticket. In the Michigan Democratic Primary, over 100,000 voters voted “Uncommitted” to protest against President Biden’s support for Israel in the aftermath of October 7th (Moore, 2024). In the general election—where many of these ‘uncommitted’ voters either voted third-party or defected to Trump—Kamala Harris lost the state by 80,000 votes, indicating that she failed to win adequate support from pro-Palestine voters who prioritized a foreign conflict over stopping the authoritarian takeover of their own country by a candidate who attempted a coup on his way out of office four years ago and promised to govern as a dictator on day one (Colvin & Barrow, 2023). Meanwhile, Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, won a majority of Muslim-American voters nationwide, securing over 50%. President Trump also outperformed Vice President Harris among Muslim voters, receiving 21.4% of the Muslim vote to Kamala Harris’ 20.3% (Turan, 2024). In the key battleground state of Michigan, Jill Stein received a whopping 59% of the Muslim vote, with Donald Trump securing 22% and Kamala Harris claiming only 14% (Turan, 2024). This discrepancy highlights the unreliability of anti-Israel voices for the Democratic Party. Donald Trump managed to secure a plurality with this demographic despite his long history of Islamophobic rhetoric and policy, including his notorious travel ban, while Kamala Harris campaigned on a two-state solution and worked tirelessly as Vice-President to secure a ceasefire that was broken less than two months into Trump’s presidency. But for many voters, that wasn’t enough. And if the 2024 election cycle taught us anything, it’s that this group of ‘voters’ will continue to move the goalposts to justify abandoning high-quality Democratic candidates and enabling the authoritarian takeover of the United States of America.

Ahead of her 2024 re-election, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) withdrew their endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), one of the Democratic Party’s most outspoken critics of Israel (Fandos, 2024). Their reason? Her show of solidarity with American Jews in the wake of the October 7th attacks. In their official statement regarding this decision, the DSA cited her support for H.R. 888, which affirmed the State of Israel’s right to exist as a safe haven for Jews, and her support for an April 20, 2024 joint press release backing enhanced Iron Dome funding. Notably, neither of these actions directly related to the ongoing war in Gaza; rather, they reflected an effort to support Israel’s defensive capacity and to confront the rise in antisemitism at home and abroad. More recently, she voted against Marjorie Taylor Greene’s amendment to a defense appropriations bill that would have cut $500 million in Iron Dome funding (Timotija, 2024). This show of support for the State of Israel and the Jewish community came at a significant personal cost: her campaign office in the Bronx was vandalized with red paint that read “AOC funds genocide in Gaza” (Fandos, 2025), and she received multiple death threats (Lee, 2025). While AOC emphasizes Palestinian dignity, she does not entirely dismiss the importance of Jewish and Israeli security. The DSA, on the other hand, has adopted a posture that prioritizes the Palestinian cause to such an extreme that it dismisses the legitimate safety concerns of both Israelis and American Jews. This one-sided approach undermines the possibility of building a coalition rooted in justice, security, and mutual recognition—values essential to any sustainable peace. Furthermore, abandoning a member of Congress—one who has otherwise been a champion for progressive causes—for standing against antisemitism and affirming Israel’s basic right to self-defense reveals a troubling litmus test that prioritizes ideological absolutism over moral clarity and coalition-building. In the fight against Donald Trump’s authoritarian takeover of our government and his embrace of foreign dictators like Putin, Orban, Xi, and Erdogan, we must stand together in defense of democracies at home and abroad, including both Israel and Ukraine. And we must continue to be the party that stands in solidarity with all marginalized groups, including Jewish Americans.

While the pro-Palestine crowd couldn’t be compelled to vote against authoritarianism, Jewish voters came to bat for Kamala Harris. Nationally, 78% of American Jews voted for Kamala Harris, including a whopping 88% of Jewish women and 71% of Jewish men, according to the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA). In the battleground state of Pennsylvania, 75% of Jewish voters supported Kamala Harris, while only 23% supported Donald Trump. Motivated by our unapologetic opposition to the existential threat posed by Donald Trump to our democracy and our constitution, we showed up at the polls with overwhelming support for the Democratic ticket. Meanwhile, supporters of the “Uncommitted Movement,” including so-called progressive groups like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani—all of whom refused to back the Democratic ticket—either abstained or cast third-party votes out of protest. This fractured support among key constituencies weakened Democratic unity and helped pave the way for President Trump’s victory. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders risk alienating a loyal and historically reliable constituency—Jewish voters—who have overwhelmingly supported the party’s candidates for decades. By prioritizing a vocal but electorally unreliable fringe, Democrats risk fracturing their diverse coalition, including Jews as well as black & latino voters with whom Republicans made serious inroads in 2024 (Crisp, 2025), and ceding ground to MAGA Republicans in the midterms—who will continue to tank our economy and abandon our allies. 

Despite losses at the top of the ticket, Jewish Democratic candidates delivered pivotal down‑ballot wins in key swing states and congressional districts—proving the ongoing electoral strength and influence of our community. While President Trump managed to carry all seven swing states, Democrats won five of the six gubernatorial/senate races that took place in these states, with three of the five winning candidates being Jewish. In Nevada, former synagogue leader and Israel supporter Jacky Rosen narrowly held her Senate seat in a state carried by Trump. In Michigan, Elissa Slotkin defeated the Trump-endorsed Mike Rogers to become Michigan’s first ever Jewish senator, even as the presidential ticket faltered due to defections from the “Uncommitted” movement. In North Carolina, despite Trump’s endorsement of holocaust denier Mark Robinson (Norton, 2024)—even after Robinson’s exposure as a self‑described “Black Nazi” and his long previous history of antisemetic remarks (Balk, 2024, Tamkin, 2024)—he lost in a landslide to then-Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic nominee who became North Carolina’s first Jewish governor. Governor Stein’s landslide victory came even as President Trump carried the state at the presidential level. And in Ohio, Jewish Congressman Greg Landsman overcame targeted pro‑Palestinian protests at his home to retain his House seat in a critical swing district in the Cincinnati suburbs (Irwin, 2024). 

These results illustrate a sharp contrast: while some leftist groups and voters aligned with the “Uncommitted” movement, driving defections at the top and enabling Trump’s victory, Jewish voters and candidates stayed united and delivered down-ballot victories across the country—and the JDCA posted a win rate of over 75% among its endorsed candidates nationwide (Klein & Soifer, 2024). These victories—including gubernatorial, congressional, and senatorial contests across battleground states—show that Jewish mobilization is both principled and politically decisive. When we stand behind candidates who reflect our values of pluralism, promoting economic opportunity, and supporting democracy at home and abroad, we deliver results up and down the ballot.

The Path Forward:

Looking ahead to 2026, the road to flipping the House and stopping Project 2025 in its tracks runs through a handful of suburban swing districts—including NY–17, where I grew up. With one of the highest concentrations of Jewish voters in the country, this district reflects a broader political truth: support for Israel is not a fringe concern—it is a mainstream priority for a key voting bloc that has long powered Democratic victories. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler has made calculated efforts to brand himself as a champion of the Jewish community. In 2024, he narrowly secured re-election largely by touting his pro-Israel stance and criticizing his opponent for voting against funding for the Iron Dome (Christenson, 2024). While he cosplays as a moderate, he is a Trump-endorsed MAGA loyalist who voted for Trump’s budget and voted against forcing the release of the Epstein Files. If Democrats field a candidate who is hostile or even ambivalent toward Israel’s right to defend itself, we will lose this seat, and our path to a House majority will shrink as a result.

Beyond NY‑17, Democrats must focus on additional swing districts where Jewish voters matter and candidates with strong pro‑Israel credentials can make or break control of the House. In New Jersey’s 7th District, Republican Tom Kean Jr. narrowly held his seat in a tight race where the Israel–Hamas conflict was a decisive issue. Though Democrat Sue Altman was endorsed by Democratic Majority for Israel and campaigned on supporting aid to Israel while also calling for humanitarian assistance to Gaza, Kean successfully portrayed her as insufficiently supportive of Israel (Friedman, 2024), helping secure his narrow win in a critical swing district with a sizable Jewish population. Flipping this seat––a feat only achievable by a Democratic nominee who unapologetically supports Israel—is essential in our effort to take back the House.

In Nevada’s 3rd District, Congresswoman Susie Lee, the sole Democratic member of Nevada’s House delegation to support censuring antisemitic rhetoric in Congress (Gentry, 2024), won re‑election in another competitive district with a substantial Jewish population in suburban Las Vegas. She repeatedly emphasized support for Israel and opposition to antisemitism—positions that resonated with her Jewish constituents and helped anchor her victory. 

Similarly, in Florida’s 23rd District, Democrat Jared Moskowitz represents one of the largest Jewish constituencies in the nation in Broward County.  He was endorsed by both the JDCA of America and Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), and took early, outspoken stances on Israel support—including voting for Israel aid and condemning antisemitism from within his own party—strengthening his appeal to Jewish voters and helping him narrowly winning re‑election in a South Florida political landscape that has seen a seismic shift towards Republicans.

These results offer a clear lesson: in swing districts with considerable Jewish populations, fielding candidates who authentically affirm Israel’s security and stand up against antisemitism is both the right thing to do and necessary for regaining electoral control. Backing pro‑Israel Democrats in NY17, NJ‑7, NV‑3, FL‑23, and similar districts is critical not only for defending or flipping seats, but also for maintaining a united, values-driven coalition capable of stopping the MAGA agenda and preserving democratic institutions in 2026 and beyond.

We cannot afford protest votes or ideological purity tests—not when the alternative is a Republican-controlled House determined to fully implement Project 2025, dismantle democratic institutions, and roll back civil, voting, labor, and human rights protections. It is imperative that the Democratic nominees in these suburban swing districts be candidates who understand the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, stand firmly with Jewish Americans, and recognize the moral and strategic necessity of Israel’s continued security as a Jewish state. This is not just about foreign policy; it is about coalition-building, credibility, and ensuring that the voters who have carried this party for generations are not abandoned in a moment of existential urgency. The future of American democracy depends on getting this right. 

Parting Words: Let’s Band Together to Fight Fascism

The Democratic Party has always been at its best when it unites the diverse, the vulnerable, and the courageous in common cause—when it fights for civil rights, voting rights, human rights, and labor rights alike. Jewish Americans have long been part of that fight: marching arm in arm with Black leaders in the civil rights movement, organizing alongside workers in the labor movement, and standing up for democracy at home and abroad. That legacy is more than just a part of our history; it’s what makes us who we are as Jews—believers in Tikkun Olam, or “Repairing the World”. And in this moment, when authoritarianism is emerging and our democratic institutions are under attack, we cannot afford to abandon the coalition that has driven so much progress: a coalition built on solidarity between communities fighting for freedom, safety, and dignity. That coalition has fractured in recent years, but it can and must be rebuilt, revitalized, and expanded to meet the challenges of this pivotal moment in our country.

We can and should continue to affirm the dignity of all peoples, including both Palestinians seeking freedom and Israelis seeking security. And we can still be the party that refuses to make a false choice between moral clarity and political convenience. First and foremost, that means putting unlimited pressure on Hamas to release every last hostage and leave the Gaza Strip permanently, paving the way for Palestinian self-governance in the enclave. At the same time, we must ensure that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government allows the children of Gaza access to food, water, and medicine, and we must ensure that Egypt––which also shares a border with Gaza––is held to that same expectation. And as a party, we must push for a long term solution rooted in diplomacy, not militarism. 

This is our chance to return the Democratic Party to its roots—not just to win elections and restore the soul of America—but to remind the world what we can accomplish when we choose compassion, strength, and solidarity over fear, division, and demonization. Let’s rise to meet this perilous moment in American history together, with courage, conviction, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to defending democracy in the United States and around the world.

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