As the 2024 presidential election approaches, many US Jews like Rona Kaufman, observe signs that more Jews feel abandoned by the Democratic Party and may vote for Republican Donald Trump.
Jewish voters form a small segment of the voting-age population in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin—key states for Democrats.
Any shift could have substantial implications in Pennsylvania, where tens of thousands of votes have determined past elections.Many Jewish voters consider the upcoming election unprecedented, especially in light of Hamas’ recent attacks on Israelis.
As per the news agency AP, she notes discomfort at a recent Democratic campaign event in Pittsburgh and reflects on her family’s changing political views.
“The family that is my generation and older generations, I don’t think anybody is voting for Harris, and we’ve never voted Republican, ever,” 49-year-old Kaufman said, highlighting her sister’s Trump sign as a significant shift.
Surveys indicate most Jewish voters still support the Democratic ticket, although Kaufman acknowledges her viewpoint is unusual.
In a close election, their votes can be pivotal, prompting campaigns from both Harris and Trump to recognise the risk of losing support. This dynamic has led Harris to navigate complex sentiments among traditional Democratic constituencies regarding the Gaza conflict, trying to balance support for Israel with concerns about civilian casualties.
Trump has aimed to exploit this situation, suggesting that Harris “doesn’t like” Jewish people and claiming he’ll be the “best friend Jewish Americans have ever had in the White House.”
Historically, Jewish voters have largely supported the Democratic Party; a recent Pew Research Center poll showed about two-thirds back Harris.
However, rising antisemitism in the US and anti-Israel protests have made many feel unsafe. The 2018 massacre of 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh remains a painful reminder. This election, campaigns have reported unprecedented outreach to Jewish voters, with Republicans emphasising divisions within the Democratic Party regarding Israel.
Many Jewish voters, like Jeremy Kazzaz, feel scared and uncertain. Kaufman, a progressive, never imagined considering Trump but now sees him as a defender against threats posed by Iran.
Conversely, Harris’ supporters view Trump as a threat to democracy, pointing to his past comments and actions, including praise for Hezbollah and criticism of Israeli leadership.
