Why the American Jewish Community Should Stay out of Israeli Politics
October 27, 2026 (Election Day in Israel)
Over the past year, the American Jewish community has been inundated with discussions and debates regarding this year’s Israeli elections as well as arguments as to who would be the best or most suited next Prime Minister of the State of Israel.
Many of these debates were most contentious and spilled over into local shuls, Shabbat dinner table discussions and public functions. They also divided many close friends, relatives and families who are very passionate and opinionated about Israeli politics as if what occurs in Israel personally affects their daily lives in America.
I recently heard a political commentator on a podcast broadcast comment that “what happens in Israel, stays in Israel”. I objected to his comment vehemently. Israel is not Las Vegas. Just the opposite. What happens in Israel affects all of us as diaspora Jews. The challenge is what is our role, our responsibility and within our purview.
Friends, there is a clear distinction between supporting Israel and interfering in Israeli politics or policies.
As we know, support is essential. American Jews and American allies provide critical military aid, political support in Congress, and moral support that Israel desperately needs to survive. That alliance is sacred and must continue into the future.
On the other hand, interference is destructive. And, Americans including American Jews must stop interfering in Israeli politics because we in American don’t live with the same consequences as do Israeli citizens or those living in Israel.
Israelis live with the consequences for every political decision. When the government decides on security policy, on judicial reform, on how to manage a conflict, on hostage deals, Israelis are the ones who will serve in the army, sit in bomb shelters, pay high taxes, and bury their fallen or those murdered in terrorist attacks.
The fact that we do not live with the same consequences also strongly suggests that
if we are unhappy about an Israeli government policy or position, we have the option of just hopping on a plane and flying home. If need be, we can watch Israeli news on cable networks; speak to friends and relatives living in Israel through WhatsApp, Zoom or Facetime; and we don’t get a vote on policies we don’t have to live with.
Democracy means that those who bear the risk make the decision. That means Israelis living in Israel.
Our Interference Fuels Division.
When American Jewish organizations, donors, and activists publicly fund, endorse, and amplify one side of Israel’s internal debate against the other, including left funding the left, right funding the right, we don’t help Israel. We divide it and even tear it apart.
Israeli politicians then start playing to an American audience instead of solving problems for Israelis. The debate stops being about what is good for Israel and starts being about who can raise more money in New York or Los Angeles.
Our enemies watch this carefully. When they see Israelis fighting each other with American dollars behind each side, they see tremendous division leading to weakness.
It Destroys Our Own Unity.
In the United States, I see many communities divided because of Israeli politics. Friends who daven together, who do business together, who are family suddenly stop talking to each other because of an argument about the Israeli Supreme Court decision or a protest in Tel Aviv that neither of them fully understands.
When American Jews make Israeli politics their identity, they import a fight that is not theirs and destroy the Achdut they need at home to fight anti-Semitism, support Jewish education, and support Israel itself.
It is essential that as Americans, we support the people, not the political party.
There is a right way for Americans to engage.
They include supporting:
– the State of Israel, not a party.
– IDF soldiers, not politicians.
– innocent victims of terror, families of hostages, farmers in the South, families displaced in the North.
– quality schools and hospitals that bring Israelis together; and
– local elected officials who stand with Israel.
Do not send money to fuel protests. Do not sign public letters telling Israelis how to run their democracy. Do not lecture Israelis on what is “truly democratic” or “truly Jewish” from 7,000 miles away.
If you want to have a political voice in Israel, there is a clear path. Make Aliyah. Become a citizen. Serve. Vote. Israel welcomes you. Until then, be a loving, supportive brother and sister, not an upset or critical parent.
Israel is a sovereign democracy. It is the nation-state of the Jewish people, but its democracy belongs to its citizens.
American Jews have every right to care deeply, to worry, to pray, and to discuss. But we do not have the right to intervene.
Our job is simple and sacred. It is to ensure that America stands with Israel; ensure that Israel is strong, safe, and prosperous; and trust the Israeli people, whether they be left or right, religious or secular, to build their own future.
That is true respect. That is true Achdut.
Since the October 7th massacre, we all feel a sense of moral responsibility towards Israel and achdut bais yisrael which makes it so much more difficult not to feel closely connected or get personally involved in Israel’s internal affairs. It’s like advising a close relative who can’t swim not to wear a life jacket.
We love Israel with a deep and profound passion which makes this disengagement all the more difficult, But, we must. Otherwise there are no limits.