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Esther Sperber

Israeli-Americans for Kamala Initiative Expands Rapidly

Israeli Americans for Kamala is a fast-growing group, representing a majority of Israeli Americans who wholeheartedly endorse Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States. Our community includes people with a wide range of life experiences and political beliefs, united by a shared love of the two countries of which we are citizens.

Some of us are dyed-in-the-wool Sabras who are naturalized US citizens, others are US-born now living in Israel, and many of us divide our lives between the two countries. Our security and wellbeing, and that of our families, is directly impacted by the US-Israel relationship. We care deeply about domestic and local policies, but a candidate’s track record and positions on Israel are of particular importance to us. In the next US president we look for a person who takes seriously the role of being the leader of the free world. 

We launched IA4K just a few weeks ago and have been heartened by the enthusiasm and support of our community, in the US and in Israel. Many thanked us for dispelling the stereotype that Jews or Israelis support Trump. Some of the most respected security experts in Israel, much like their counterparts in Europe and around the world, share our fear of a second Trump presidency. 

Our group includes professionals from many disciplines – medicine, high-tech, bio-tech, education, security, politics, business, consulting, religious leadership as well as stay at home parents and grandparents. We are secular and observant and everything in between. Our families are a tapestry of Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrachi, Holocaust survivors, and those who escaped Arab countries. In spite of all our differences we feel it is urgent to  speak out in favor of Kamala Harris – for the sake of the security and future of the US and Israel.

Our strong support of Kamala Harris is rooted in her strong support of Israel and our community professionally and personally. Kamala Harris has proven herself a friend of Israel and will continue this decades-long alliance, while maintaining American leadership on the world stage and confronting mutual enemies.

Kamala Harris has demonstrated her steadfast support for Israel and the rejection of antisemitism in all its forms. As Vice President, she has been a partner in mounting the United States’ unprecedented response to the attack on October 7th, providing Israel the material and diplomatic support in a time of dire need. She has advocated for the hostages’ return, and loudly called out the brutality of the murder and sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas. 

The strategic vision that Vice President Harris and President Biden have offered that would bring back the hostages, end the war in Gaza, and rebuild a new Palestinian leadership, is embraced by most of the Israeli security establishment and their predecessors. Harris has shown that the United States’ support will be unflagging under her administration, supporting the Israeli government even when it sets its own course and in the face of stiff criticism. 

Harris has shown that she will stand against antisemitism and against calls to stop or condition US support of Israel. Under her leadership, the Democratic convention gave no space to voices that sought to attack Israel rather than seeking a better future for Palestinians. Two of the most anti-Israel members of Congress were primaried, and the massive protests that were predicted at the DNC in Chicago failed to materialize. 

In contrast, in addition to Trump’s unique lack of fitness for office, his web of relationships with, and dependencies on, Russia and Arab countries, and his tendency to do what is best for himself, changes in US policy that could be catastrophic for Israel’s security. Under Trump and J D Vance’s influence, Republicans in Congress held up aid to Israel for months after October 7th, objecting to sending aid to Ukraine, which the pre-Trump Republican party would have vigorously supported. Even Trump’s own hawkish, ultra-conservative, pro-Israel National Security Advisor, John Bolton, told The New York Times that “Trump’s support for Israel in the first term is not guaranteed in the second term, because Trump’s positions are made on the basis of what’s good for Donald Trump, not on some coherent theory of national security.” 

We are excited about a Harris presidency not only because we feel that Trump is dangerous to Israel and that Harris will continue the close bilateral relationship with Israel, but we allow ourselves to be optimistic that a Harris presidency could be transformational. 

Kamala Harris brings a unique track record of executive accomplishment and fighting against, and negotiating with, tough adversaries. In the past few months, since President Biden left the race, she has demonstrated an impressive ability to build coalitions, reach consensus and lead effectively. In just a few weeks we will all get the opportunity to cast our vote for the future of the United States and of its ally, Israel. As Israeli-Americans with concerns for the  future of both our countries, we enthusiastically endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States. She is by far the best choice to ensure the safety, security and future of both Israel and the US.

About Us:
Israeli Americans for Kamala
Israeli Americans for Kamala is a fast-growing group founded in recent weeks to bring the voices and experiences of Israeli Americans who endorse Kamala Harris to Jewish voters and others considering the impact on Israel of this election. The large number of endorsements from prominent and every-day Israeli Americans dispels the false perception that Israeli Americans are all-in for Trump. The group’s members are deeply impacted by the situation in Israel and contribute a wide range of experiences and knowledge about Israel’s security and governance.

https://linktr.ee/ia4k

https://x.com/isrforkamala

https://www.facebook.com/groups/israeliamericansforkamala

https://chat.whatsapp.com/IGBIOJD5W71DsR46rhbSqp

https://www.youtube.com/@ia4k2024 

This piece was co-authored by:

Kathy Goldberg has a background in investment banking and nonprofit fundraising and now serves as strategic advisor for tech, new ventures and NGOs. She is an active political advocate in both the US and Israel, including support for Israel’s pro-democracy movement in Chicago with UnXeptable and as a co-founder of Israeli Americans for Kamala. She lives in Chicago with her family. 

Offir Gutelzon is an Israeli-American tech entrepreneur who has become a prominent figure in the Israeli and Jewish-American political landscape. A vocal critic of the judicial overhaul proposed by the current Israeli government, he founded the grassroots movement, UnXeptable, which has mobilized supporters both in Israel and abroad to advocate for a democratic and just Israeli society and co-founder of Israeli Americans for Kamala.

David Meyers was an IDF Captain and naval officer. Formerly a global maritime consultant, he is now a CleanTech executive and entrepreneur. He is active in Israel’s pro-democracy movement, member of Brothers and Sisters in Arm, the leadership of UnXeptable, and co-founder of Israeli Americans for Kamala. He lives in Silicon Valley, California with his family.

Esther Sperber is an architect, founder of Studio ST Architects. Born and raised in Israel, she now lives in New York and is an organizer for the Hostages Families Forum in New York. She writes and lectures on architecture, culture, religion and psychoanalysis. Her work has been published widely including the New York Times, The Huffington Post, Haaretz, the Jewish Week, TOI, the Forward and academic journals.

About the Author
Esther Sperber is an architect, founder of Studio ST Architects. Born and raised in Israel, she has been living in New York for 25 years. She writes and lectures about architecture, culture, religion and psychoanalysis. Her work has been published in the New York Times, The Huffington Post, Lilith, the Jewish Week, TOI the Forward as well as many academic journals. She is one of the leaders of Hostages' Family Forum in NY and the pro democracy protests.
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