Politically Struggling Jew: Democrat Morals vs. Pro-Israel GOP Sentiments

It’s been a very traumatic week for Jews, whether they reside in Israel or America, due to the brutal terror attack by Hamas on October 7th. The terrorist organization, Hamas, murdered innocent men, women, children, and babies because of their hatred for the only Jewish state. It’s been an eye-opening week for mepersonally, as an American Jew, who is a Democrat, and happens to have family in Israel. Watching how people within in my own party align themselves and where they stand on this is astonishing.

The comments I have been getting from those on the far left have felt like I am being gaslighted. I thought people knew me well enough to know that I never would support the killing of children, on either side, and that I condemn Islamophobia. Yet, I’ve been told that I support genocide because I believe Israel has the right to defend itself. People don’t want to understand that Israel is in a challenging situation because Hamas has put them in one. What do they expect Israel to do after a brutal attack? There is absolutely no justification for it, and the fact that we have Democratic members of Congress spreading lies and anti-Israel propaganda was very troubling to me. Rashida Tlaib won’t even condemn Hamas, but she will demand Israel to have a ceasefire. All a ceasefire will do is give Hamas time to build up and attack Israeli civilians again. There has been a rise of antisemitism since the war, and anti-Israel rhetoric from the Squad members of Congress isn’t helping de-escalate the situation.

Seeing this unfold has given me mixed feelings and has me questioning things within my own party. The American in me will vote Democrat because I care what happens to Americans. My vote is one that wants to protect the LGBTQ, fight systemic racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. I will never vote Republican again. I do not feel that I can. Trump has committed numerous crimes and his role in the January 6th insurrection was beyond my comprehension. Since most Republicans continue to support Trump and his big election lie, I cannot stand behind that. I took an oath when I enlisted in the army to protect the United States Constitution and our Democracy. I can never bring myself to vote for any of them.

The Jew in me, however, wants to vote for the Republican Party. The Republican Party, for the most part, besides the Nazis and white supremacists, has the love and support for Israel, which includes its right to defend itself.

Now, I understand that President Biden is doing the best he can as an American President, and as a neutral party. However, I wonder how much he means it when he says, “he has Israel’s back?” Will he let Israel defend itself the way it sees fit? Or will he pressure them to a ceasefire? Can we trust that the money from Palestinians will go to the civilians for humanitarian aid? Or will that money fund Hamas and their “Pay for Slay” program?

I have always been concerned regarding the Iran deal and the Democrats’ leniency over Iran, due to the fact that the Iranian regime constantly calls for Israel’s and America’s death and destruction. I wonder if the Democratic Party is doing enough to fight the rise in antisemitism, especially with what’s going on in today’s American universities. Suppose I was to vote Republican again based on my concerns for the Jewish people here and in Israel. Would it justify antisemites to use the old antisemitic trope of dual loyalty?

As you can see, as American Jews, we have a lot to think about. I know I am not the only one feeling this way. To the people calling Israel, “colonizer”, or claiming “75 years of occupation”, Israel has been the Jewish homeland for 3,000 years, since the land was called the Kingdom of Judea.