Jewish Democrats are celebrating a "blue wave" of victories in the midterm elections, but centrist and conservative voices are warning of challenges ahead for the party's relationship with Israel. The liberal group J Street hailed the results as a "resounding victory for new politics on Israel and Palestine", with 98% of J Street-backed candidates projected to win their races.
J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami said voters had rejected President Donald Trump's policies and "made clear they want a different direction for America and a different approach in the Middle East". The group had invested a record $10 million in supporting over 200 candidates, and warned that opponents would continue to influence American foreign policy with "dark money".
The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) also celebrated the Democratic victories, describing them as a referendum on President Trump. JDCA chief executive Halie Soifer said Jewish voters widely disapprove of Trump and want leaders who will defend freedoms, stand against antisemitism, and support Israel's security. The group had invested heavily in voter mobilisation efforts, including targeted ads in key states.
However, not all Jewish Democrats were thrilled with the outcome. Jeff Robbins, a Boston-based attorney and former Democratic Senate staffer, expressed concern about the normalisation of attacks on Israel and its bona fides. He warned that the Jewish community must take the results as a "warning sign" and make the case for Israel in the public square.
Robbins cited several election results as cause for concern, including the success of Abdul El-Sayed in his Michigan Senate race and the primary loss of Democratic Representative Dan Goldman. He also expressed concern about the push among Democrats to distance themselves from Israel, which he believes amounts to antisemitism in some cases.
Jonathan Greenberg, director for combatting antisemitism at Defending Education, called the election "a disastrous night for the Republican Party", but also criticised Democrats for failing to police their own side. He recognised that some moderate Israel supporters were successful in this election, and called on them to stand up to progressive voices that threaten the party's relationship with Israel.
Greenberg credited Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat, for his outspokenness on this issue, and stressed that a critical mass of passionate people is needed to counter the influence of the far left. The midterm elections have highlighted the complexities and challenges ahead for Jewish Democrats as they navigate the party's shifting landscape.
Key points
- Jewish Democrats celebrate midterm election victories, but face challenges ahead on US-Israel relations
- Centrist and conservative voices warn of implications for US-Israel relations
- Jewish community must take results as a "warning sign" and make the case for Israel in the public square
