American Jews have a choice to make and it is not solely between Democrats and Republicans. Rather, what they decide to do now regarding the substance and manner of their support for Israel will help determine the ongoing character of the Jewish State and, perhaps, its existential future. Except for the immediate period surrounding the establishment of Israel in 1948, decisions presently being undertaken by American Jewry have rarely been so vitally important.

Today, there has never been such an absence of support for Israel amongst the international community. Only the United States has been consistently advocating for Israeli policies and actions pertaining to the Gaza Strip since that area was used to launch a surprise attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, slaughtering approximately 1200 Israelis on October 7, 2023. As of that date, approximately 30,000 Gazan civilians have died, most by indiscriminate Israeli shelling. The world’s reaction has been outrage against Israel, with tepid understanding of the factors responsible for the latter’s actions and its strategic predicament. Meanwhile, the wanton killing of innocent Arabs in Gaza, especially children, continues.

Since the end of the first World War, the United States was a reluctant participant in the struggle to establish a Jewish State in the Middle East. It was only in the aftermath of the Holocaust that a significant number of nations were ready to endorse the creation of a Jewish territorial entity that could assist in solving the problem of what to do with millions of homeless Jews seeking refuge in the aftermath of the murder of six million of their brethren by Germany and its World War II allies. Great Britain had been assigned responsibility by international entities to deal with the the search for a home for the displaced Jews. But, the British remained hesitant supporters of Jewish claims for resettlement in the territory known as Palestine, at the time primarily inhabited by Arab residents, some claiming continued occupancy for as long as the Jews. Thus, many Arabs and Jews turned to their respective religious “saviors” for spiritual guidance in finding an acceptable path on the way to securing their biblical homes. Clearly, all sides needed to search for more pragmatic partners. Yet, today, everyone has failed in their seemingly eternal quest to bring peace and security to the present occupiers of the land.

Following October 7th, an already tense relationship between Israel, the American government and American Jewry, became more problematic. Divisions among American Jews regarding Israel’s objectives vis-a-vis Gaza have also intensified. At the “progressive” end of the Jewish community are those calling for an immediate cease-fire by Israel and Hamas in Gaza. They have been joined by politicians on the left-wing of the Democratic Party, who are facing their own restive constituents. At the other end of the political spectrum are Orthodox Jews and religious nationalists, who remain decidedly against any concessions to the Palestinians. Evangelical Christians and a significant majority of Republican Conservatives share this perspective. Most of the international community is centered on the “Cease-Fire Now” side of the political spectrum. In Israel itself, Jews are deeply divided amongst these perspectives, but also seeking leaders that can provide security and a way out of this intractable conflict. No one has yet found a way to stop the killing in Gaza.

How does all this play-out in terms of Israel’s future and, especially, its relationship with the people and government of the United States? That remains a crucial, yet unanswered, question. With the United States remaining Israel’s key supporter, the more disagreements between the two nations, the more likely it is that American support for Israel will tumble further than it already has. This, in turn, has implications for foreign aid and other economic, military, and political benefits that Israel receives from the United States. Fortunately or otherwise, politicians, the media, academics, et al, pay close attention to how their relevant constituencies feel about the Middle East and, especially, the relationship between American Jews and Israel. Rifts between the latter two, consequently, rebound in the halls of Congress and throughout the body politic. Declining support for Israel is especially evident amongst younger Americans, including Jews. As already noted, the situation in Gaza has only widened that rift. Making matters worse, members of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s governing coalition include religiously charged nationalists who share their views with religious blocs in the United States. Consequently, does an equitable solution exist for Israel, the Palestinians, and those engaged parties seeking a sustained peace?

The United States, England, France, Israel, Hamas, the Palestinians, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are the major players involved in trying to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza, a return of Hamas-held Jewish hostages to Israel and, ultimately, the creation of a Palestinian political entity that could secure real peace between Palestinians and Israel. Failure to do so may plunge the entire region into chaos and a wider war. Yet, despite some progress in negotiations, Israel’s Prime Minister, “Bibi” Netanyahu, is stonewalling in order to avoid being toppled from office by growing numbers of Israelis who blame him for the attack on October 7th, and Israel’s political and military failures since then. For Bibi, removal from office could force him to face prison-time should he be convicted as a result of his legal struggles.

At the same time, if American support for Ukraine continues to diminish, a new “Munich”(1938) is in the offing. Thanks to Donald Trump and his fellow appeasers in the Republican Party, a policy shift in this direction will lead America down a path that can only end badly. Trust in the U.S. will decline as we will again enter a Hobbesian world of every nation for itself. “America First” will become an isolated “Fortress America” with few friends and responsible partners. American decline will likely be preceded by Russian and Chinese aggression and an Israel and Ukraine whose respective security may depend almost solely on what they themselves can muster. Is this the reality we want for our children and grandchildren?