Democrats support for Israel aid cutoff a boon to GOP recruitment efforts

Jewish voters face a potential exodus from the Democratic Party, and New York Republicans are already parting the Hudson for Jewish New Yorkers.

Jewish and other rational Democrats are shaken up and feeling unbalanced after Graham Platner, Zohran Mamdani and their ilk attached targets to our backs. They single out Israel for criticism and even lie about it to the point that many people are taking it out on most Jews. The mob’s reaction has translated to murder, assaults, vandalism and harassment.

American Jews and those elsewhere are probably confused about Israel’s role in the current Middle East conflict. They do not live in Israel and cannot vote for Israel’s leaders, yet more people are holding us responsible for Israel’s assaults in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.

Within days of Platner’s withdrawal as a Maine Senate candidate, the New York State Republican Party placed an ad in Jewish publications addressed “To Our Jewish Neighbors and Fellow New Yorkers,” The New York Post reports. Statewide, 1.5 million Jews live there, and in past decades the nationwide Jewish vote for Democratic presidential candidates ranged from 67 to 82 percent.

“The New York State Republican Party stands with you,” writes State GOP Chairman Ed Cox, son-in-law of the late President Richard M. Nixon. “We consider Israel a democratic miracle, America’s indispensable ally, and proof that the Jewish people’s ancient covenant with their land was not a relic of history but a promise to be fulfilled. We stand against antisemitism wherever it appears, because we understand what Judaism has given the world. Jewish scripture is central to the moral architecture of Western civilization.”

Turning to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other Democratic leaders, Cox writes, “We watch with sadness as the Democratic Party, which alleges to stand for marginalized groups, spirals into that ugliest and oldest hatred, antisemitism. Zohran Mamdani’s statement calling AIPAC and its members ‘monsters’ has no place in American political discourse. It’s the worst kind of antisemitism.

“We stand with our fellow patriotic Americans at AIPAC, as they work to strengthen the American-Israeli relationship and fight the scourge of antisemitism that has found a home in the Democratic Party and is championed by New York City’s mayor,” he adds.

Contending that Jews are exiting the Democratic Party “in droves,” Cox writes, “From Maine to Michigan to New Jersey to right here in New York, you are told you are no longer welcome. Please know that, unlike the Democratic Party, the New York State Republican Party values you and would be proud to have you among our ranks. You have a home with us.”

Cox’s effort could well inspire Republicans in other states to emancipate their 1 million Jewish neighbors in California, more than half-million in Florida, nearly that much in New Jersey and in excess of 200,000 Jews in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts.

Should we toss off our chains and march through the desert into the GOP’s arms? Many have probably done that already and more will follow. However, it is not necessary.

Why should any of us leave and allow these progressive troublemakers to control the party? True, their numbers in Congress are likely to grow considerably after the midterm elections in November, but they will probably hold a relatively small number of House seats.

I happen to be with progressives on strengthening health-care coverage, gun safety and other social issues, so why join a party that consistently blocks these changes? Many so-called progressives do not understand that alienating Jews will only weaken their efforts on domestic issues. They can still criticize Israel without endangering social issues, but they need to do that in a manner that is evenhanded.

Anti-Israel Democrats will cast numerous votes, including those involving Israel and American Jews. Then we will have an opportunity to attack their positions. We will be in a position to discredit them in the eyes of American voters.

We can only succeed if we challenge them.

(I am aware that a majority of House Democrats voted against military aid on Wednesday, but they do have legitimate concerns at this stage. Probably more about this in a future column.)

Democratic leaders point to antisemitism among Republicans. GOP state and federal candidates regularly collect votes in pockets that are straight, white and Christian and cannot stand the notion of being around anyone different. That is another reason for resisting a change in one’s party registration.

For Jews who join the Republican Party, they will have the opportunity to alter the GOP’s direction. They can pressure Republican leaders to moderate the party’s policies. Established Republicans will not want to hear anything from centrist and especially liberal Jews, but they need to do that.

Who knows? Maybe that will force a difference, or at least a dent, in Republican policies.

Ed Cox, be careful what you wish for.

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Bruce S. Ticker is a Philadelphia-based columnist.