How the Democratic Party Abandoned the Jews

For nearly a century, American Jews stood as a vital pillar of the Democratic Party, drawn to its unwavering commitment to civil rights, religious freedom, and the protection of minorities. Their allegiance was not just political—it was rooted in shared values and a vision of justice that the party once championed without hesitation.

That commitment was evident in 1948 when President Harry Truman became the first world leader to recognize Israel, a bold move that signaled America’s support for Jewish self-determination. It continued in 1964, as Jewish activists linked arms with Martin Luther King Jr., marching together for civil rights and racial equality.

By 1993, when Bill Clinton hosted the signing of the Oslo Accords at the White House, the party’s dedication to Middle East peace further solidified its bond with the Jewish community.

But over the past decade, that stance has shifted dramatically. Jews—once seen as victims of discrimination—are now often labeled as part of the problem. The same party that once fought antisemitism now tolerates and even amplifies it.

In 2019, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) claimed that support for Israel was “all about the Benjamins,” suggesting Jewish money controls U.S. politics.

When criticized, she brushed it off as speaking the truth. The Democratic leadership condemned her remarks but took no real action. A resolution meant to censure Omar was watered down into a vague statement against hate, never even mentioning her by name.

That same year, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) claimed Palestinians provided a “safe haven” for Jews after the Holocaust, ignoring the historical record of Palestinian leaders collaborating with the Nazis and violently opposing Jewish refugees.

The rise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs has fueled this trend. While designed to protect marginalized groups, these initiatives often label Jews as privileged and powerful.

A 2023 report by the Heritage Foundation found that DEI programs at 25 major universities routinely ignored antisemitism while promoting other forms of racial and ethnic identity politics.

Jewish students reported feeling unwelcome in progressive spaces, accused of being complicit in Israeli policies simply because of their heritage. Then came October 7, 2023.

Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Israel since its founding. Over 1,200 Israelis were murdered—women, children, the elderly. Entire families were executed; women were raped and killed, while terrorists broadcasted their crimes live on social media. The world was horrified.

But within days, progressive activists in the U.S. took a different stance.

In New York City, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)—whose members include Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)—organized a rally blaming Israel for the attack. Protesters chanted, “Resistance is justified,” and waved signs calling for the destruction of the Jewish state.

In Washington, D.C., the group IfNotNow refused to condemn Hamas, instead accusing Israel of war crimes. At Harvard, more than 30 student organizations signed a statement holding Israel “entirely responsible” for the massacre.

The Democratic response was divided. President Joe Biden initially expressed strong support for Israel, calling the attack “pure evil.” But as protests grew and progressive lawmakers felt pressure from their party, the administration wavered.

Within months, the White House began calling for a ceasefire—even as Israel was still rescuing hostages from Gaza. Progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), refused to condemn Hamas and instead focused their criticism on Israel’s military response.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) claimed Israel was engaging in “collective punishment,” referring to the Jewish state’s response to the October 7 attack.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s position on Israel was also questionable. During Netanyahu’s address to Congress, nearly half of the Democratic members, including Harris, boycotted the event. As vice president and president of the Senate, Harris made a decision not to attend, which underscored concerns about her commitment to Israel.

“Vice President Harris herself praised antisemitic campus protesters, while her husband appeared to pander inauthentically,” said Alan Dershowitz, a prominent advocate for Israel and civil liberties lawyer. “Many Jewish voters feel the Democratic Party has abandoned them, and I agree—I no longer feel at home in my former party.”

While Democrats hesitated, Republicans made their position clear. President Donald Trump, who previously moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 and brokered the Abraham Accords, immediately condemned Hamas and called for full U.S. support of Israel.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took swift action, directing state universities to shut down Students for Justice in Palestine chapters, citing their ties to Hamas. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson pushed for a $14 billion aid package to Israel, even as Democrats sought to tie it to unrelated spending.

Jewish voters who once saw antisemitism as a problem of the far right are now witnessing it thrive on the left. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a 388% spike in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in the weeks after October 7, with most occurring in progressive cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Jews were assaulted while walking through pro-Palestinian rallies, synagogues were vandalized, and social media flooded with anti-Israel propaganda. Still, many Democratic leaders remained silent.

The reality is clear: the Democratic Party’s base is shifting. Younger Democrats overwhelmingly view Israel as an oppressor. A 2023 Pew Research poll found that 56% of Democrats under 30 sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis—a complete reversal from just a decade ago.

As these younger activists gain power, the party will only move further in this direction.

Trump assumed office just one month ago, yet he has already launched a DOJ coalition program targeting antisemitism—a direct response to a House committee report ignored by the Biden administration.

Trump has also signed an antisemitism executive order, suspending the student visas of international students involved in antisemitic acts and threatening to pull over $100 billion in federal funding from private universities that refuse to comply with his zero-tolerance antisemitism policy. The contrast is undeniable.

For decades, Jewish Americans were among the Democratic Party’s most loyal voters. But loyalty should not be blind. The party has changed. It now excuses antisemitism, questions Israel’s right to defend itself, and replaces Jewish voices with activists who see Israel as the enemy.

Jewish voters must decide whether to stay with a party that increasingly rejects them or seek new political allies. The Democratic Party has made its choice. Now, Jewish Americans must make theirs.