Trump, Israel, and The Dangers of One-Issue Voting

With the election in our rearview and four years of a Trump administration ahead, I’ve reflected deeply on what the election process meant—the hopes so many carried, the fears that came to pass, and the stark reminder of how divided our country has become. As a Democrat-identifying student at the University of Michigan in a historically pivotal swing state, I found myself in the eye of the storm. Ann Arbor’s contribution to the blue majority made the election, and the need for voter turnout more crucial than ever. Synonymously, the University of Michigan has been one of the most polarized campuses regarding the current war in the Middle East. Since October 7th, each day has been met with something new: a protest, a walkout, interruptions in class, or a call for a ceasefire. Due to my extensive involvement in Jewish organizations on campus, I have had the privilege of speaking to and being involved in much of the dialogue and decision-making regarding Jewish life and Israeli discourse on campus. Through all of this, I conversed with people about the election, their plans to vote, their reasons for doing so, and their views on the war in the Middle East. I’ve come to a stark realization that an overwhelming number of people voted for Trump, not because they liked his policies or thought he was a good guy, nor because they thought he would be a good president. They voted for him for one reason and one reason only: they believe Trump is the best bet for the sake of Israel. This single-issue voting is short-sighted and dangerous for both the state of our country and the state of war in Israel.
As a pro-Israel student who has taken the greater part of my college experience to learn and discuss discourse on the conflict, I, too, share the hope for the end of the war and the safe return of all Israeli hostages. Yet, not only does this one-issue voting frustrate me, but it honestly confuses me. President Trump’s lack of consistency in his platforms and instability as a person could destabilize the region further, risking more lives in the long term. His short-term gains often come at the expense of strategic alliances and trust.
Let’s address the notion that Trump is the best President for Israel or the Jewish people. While Trump’s last term included high-profile gestures towards Israel, such as moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and negotiating the creation of the Abraham Accords, these actions did little to address the deep-rooted complexities of the conflict. His approach alienated many Palestinians and contributed to the growing tensions in the region. Moreover, his rhetoric often encouraged extremists both abroad and at home. Trump’s agenda focused on an “America First” platform and frequently disregarded global alliances and multilateral agreements. For Israel, a country heavily reliant on U.S. diplomatic and military support, this inward-focused platform could be detrimental to the success of a U.S.-Israel alliance.
The Trump administration will also oversee the renewal of the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is a cornerstone of their military alliance. Trump’s emphasis on isolationism and transactional diplomacy as a leader could jeopardize this critical agreement, potentially weakening Israel’s security. He has repeatedly criticized military aid to Ukraine and has often claimed to avoid engaging in wars, raising the question of how this approach might extend to his handling of the conflict in Israel. Furthermore, Trump’s selection of Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel and his policies and rhetoric around settler movements have intensified division rather than fostering a path toward peace. In Israel, extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has escalated, with attacks on civilians and property often aimed at displacing Palestinian communities. Simultaneously, growing frustrations among Palestinians over continued marginalization have fueled radicalization, further destabilizing the region. The strength of America’s government plays a crucial role in either fostering division or promoting peace in Israel. However, Trump’s isolationist tendencies suggest that America’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to resolving the conflict may be limited.
Although Trump has flaunted his theoretical success in negotiating the release of the hostages during his upcoming presidency, it is crucial to note that such outcomes are far from guaranteed. As we have seen since October 7th, hostage deals are highly complex, influenced by geopolitical relationships and the willingness of Hamas and other nations to negotiate, with these deals failing more often than not. Because Trump leads with a transactional approach to diplomacy, often being focused on optics rather than long-term effects, he likely could undermine future negotiations of hostage deals. Furthermore, his strained relationship with key regional international leaders could hinder his efforts to build the trust and reliance necessary to secure an effective hostage deal.
Looking domestically, it is essential to note that the overarching percentage of Jewish voters voted blue, as the ideologies of the Democratic party often align with Jewish values to the core. An overwhelming 79% of Jewish voters cast their ballots for Kamala in November; historically, Jewish Americans have voted overwhelmingly blue. Under the Trump administration, the values these voters were committed to – LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, immigration policies, etc. – are all at serious risk. It is also essential not to forget the immense rise in antisemitism during his administration, with his antisemitic rhetoric being echoed by Republicans and GOP leaders. With the rise of right-wing extremists, such as the National Socialist Freedom Movement and the National Socialist Movement, during his last term in office, there is a stark possibility of their continued upward trajectory during his next term.
I yearn for the release of the hostages and the end of the war just as much as the next zionist Jew, but on top of that, I cannot forget about all of the atrocities happening in our home country and how horrible Trump will be for them. His polarizing rhetoric and disregard for democratic norms have emboldened extremists, both abroad and at home, creating a climate of division and instability. His administration’s approach to Israel has prioritized short-term political wins over sustainable solutions, leaving the region more fractured and volatile than ever. This isn’t just about the immediate crisis – it’s also about the broader implications for the future. What happens after the hostages are released? What about the long-term future of America? What about women’s rights and abortion laws? Gay rights? Immigration? All of these things and more are at the forefront of the current battle in domestic politics, and with a Trump administration ahead, all of these things are at significant risk. Yet, due to one-issue voters who don’t think of the whole future but instead only of what is right in front of them, we are faced with the doom of a Trump administration in America.