Strained Ties Between Israel and Jewish Americans

Many Israelis, regardless of their political or religious stance, express concern over the weakening connection with younger Jewish Americans. A recent AP poll highlights a trend where younger Jewish Americans place less importance on supporting Israel as part of their Jewish identity compared to older adults.

Itai Nixon, who oversees the diaspora department at Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, emphasizes the importance of maintaining ties with Jewish people worldwide. “We’re the state of the Jewish people,” Nixon stated.

Lesley Sachs, chair of the Israel Movement for Progressive and Reform Judaism, views a strong bond with diaspora Jews as vital. She worries that with rising antisemitism, Jews globally might not perceive Israel as a refuge. Sachs believes that the diminishing perception of Israel as a homeland represents a failure on both Israel’s and world Jewry’s part.

“It’s extremely important to us,” said Itai Nixon, “We’re the state of the Jewish people, not just Israelis.”

Since 2000, the Taglit-Birthright Israel program has introduced a million Jewish young adults from the US and elsewhere to Israel on free 10-day tours. Gidi Mark, the organization’s CEO, stresses that showcasing the potential connection beyond politics is crucial.

The longstanding Israel-US alliance shows signs of tension. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently met to discuss their shared agenda against Iran. However, divisions over a ceasefire in the Iran conflict have impacted Jewish Israelis’ trust in Trump’s commitment to Israeli security.

With these diplomatic strains, the influence of Jewish Americans grows, especially as some young progressives, including Jews, find supporting Israel hard to reconcile with their values. The decline in support has become pronounced after attacks by Hamas-led militants and Israel’s military response in Gaza. This had led to protests across US campuses.

Only about 4 in 10 religious Jewish adults under 45 in the US consider support for Israel crucial to their Jewish identity, compared to approximately half of older adults, according to the AP-NORC poll. Meanwhile, 6 in 10 Jewish adults regard antisemitism in the US as a serious issue.

“Antisemitism sadly helps us to explain why a Jewish homeland is not a bad idea,” said Asaf Zamir.

In response, Israel and religious organizations are intensifying exchange programs with diaspora Jews. These programs allow young Israelis to visit North American Jewish summer camps, while non-Israeli Jews enjoy free trips to Israel.

Itai Nixon calls these visits to Israel “the gold standard” for fostering connections. Though participation has waned since 2023, the experiences remain meaningful. Such initiatives aim to bridge gaps with secular and Reform Judaism adherents, emphasizing common progressive values.

The Israeli Reform movement sends young Israelis abroad, such as Alma Edry, who recently counseled at a progressive Jewish camp in Ontario. These initiatives highlight shared values and intentions to jointly shape Israel’s future.

“We need to be partners in making Israel the country that we all need,” Sachs remarked.