Do the jewish people who vote for democrats hate Israel?

Question

I have often wondered why the majority of Jewish Americans support the democrats, when most elected democrats do not support Israel.

Can anyone explain this?

Answer 1

I posed this question to some jewish friends once, and the answer I got was that Jews have a long history of communal living, i.e. communism. Not communism in terms of Stalin type dictatorship, but in the true Marxist sense of the term.

As a result they are more socialist in their political beliefs and that trumps the Israel issue.

Democrats are indeed more likely than republicans to sympathize more with the palestinians than the Israelis. You just need to read Jimmy Carter's new book for evidence of that. His book is full of inaccuracies, but he is clearly anti Israel.

Answer 2

Most Jewish voters voted for Weprin, the Democrat candidate, over Turner last night. Also, Weiner's district is 40% Jewish, so they are a plurality as opposed to a majority. Add the fact that most Jews in that district are Orthodox (who are generally more conservative than Reform or Conservative Jews), and Orthodox Jews are a minority among American Jewry. We aren't the "pro-Palestinian party" at all. In fact, how many incumbent Jewish Congressmen, other than Eric Cantor, are Republicans? And how many are Democrats? There's your answer.

Answer 3

It seems the first 3 answerers misunderstood your question. They seem to think that an elected democrat's answer that he supports Israel proves that he does. Not so. Democrats consistently take positions against American, hence democratic, interests worldwide. They do not understand that the ultimate arbiter of conflict is physical force, and it is the motivating ideology, not the violence, that one should be afraid of. It is physical force - or the threat of it - that keeps Israel afloat, and the U.S. is its prime backer. Without this backing, Israel would have long ago been overrun. Since elected democrats generally take a position of appeasement instead of strength in international affairs, they do not, by their actions and policies, support the continued existence of Israel, despite what they say. A very good question, and I've often wondered it myself. Have a good day, and keep on thinking!

Answer 4

Maybe the Jewish don't like Israel and don't like the assumption that just because they're Jewish they are going to side with Israel. I'm pro-Israel and I'm Catholic (religion has nothing to do with it), I think Jews vote for Democrats because they are more aligned with the Democratic Party on their beliefs.

Answer 5

most elected democrats don't support Israel?

that's news to me?

I think you're assuming a bit much there... they may not blatantly defend Israel as much and blindly accept Israel's actions... granted... I don't think that they "do not support Israel"...

that would be how I explain it... democratic dominated congresses have given billions in the 70s and 80s to Israel... funny thing to do to someone you hate?

there may be a few democrats that don't support Israel at all though, but I don't believe that they are the majority...

Answer 6

As a Jewish democrat, I think it's obvious: American Jews are Americans, not Israelis. Domestic issues are just as important as foreign relations.

Also, the people who are really, really far to the right (mainly evangelicals) often propose trying to give the church political power. Too much Christian influence is bad for other religions.

Answer 7

An excellent question. I have no ideal how any Jewish American can support the democratic party. Kennedy and Johnson were neither a friend of Israel, Carter would have sold the country outright for a foreign relations cou, and Clinton was nonchalant at best.

Answer 8

Well, there are some Jewish-Americans who have bought into this "I ought to feel guilty about who I am" mentality, so you can do the math from there...
Don't forget, there's a big difference in mentality and many other ways between Jewish Americans and Israelis, just like there is between, say, Irish-Americans and actual Irish people.

Answer 9

It is not at all inconsistent. Jews vote only those democrats who are pro-Israel. So, no matter what party they vote for, I can guarantee you they are pro-Israel.

Just like the incorrect notion that Bush (and Republicans) are solely responsible for Iraq invasion. When in fact, many democrats (including John Kerry and Hillary Clinton) voted for it and still strongly support it (just like Bush).

Answer 10

Who, in the US government, does not support Israel? Contact all senators using their website, and ask them if they support Israel and you will get a yes from all of them. It doesn't matter who's in office, to get in there you have to get approval from AIPAC, otherwise you won't have any campaigning money or votes. It's how they control our government and put their state's national security ahead of ours. I am attaching the name of an important article on this issue below.