What We Owe Each Other

Key Findings:

The interconnectedness between American and Israeli Jews means that each community is significantly affected by the actions and policies of the other's government — even when they have no formal say in those decisions. This reality challenges the common argument that American Jews should not weigh in on Israeli policy, and vice versa.

As former President Donald Trump begins nuclear negotiations with Iran, Israeli officials (including Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea) have engaged in behind-the-scenes meetings to ensure Israeli concerns are represented, even though Israel is not formally included in the talks. This mirrors the 2015 Iran deal under President Obama, which Israel strongly opposed. Then and now, Israelis are alarmed at being excluded from decisions that directly affect their national security. They view U.S.-Iran negotiations not just as American foreign policy but as matters with existential implications for Israel. Israeli frustration over this exclusion extends to American Jews, many of whom supported the 2015 deal, prompting accusations that they disregarded Israeli fears.

At the same time, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released data showing that 58% of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2024 involved Israel or Zionism. American Jews are increasingly targeted due to anger or animosity directed at Israel — whether over accusations of apartheid, the Gaza war, or treatment of Palestinians. While Israelis bear the brunt of events like Hamas’s October 7 attacks or military operations in Gaza, American Jews experience a spillover effect in the form of antisemitism, regardless of their own political stance.

American Jews resent being told their views on Israel are irrelevant, especially when Israeli actions cause them real-life consequences like rising antisemitism. Conversely, Israelis are frustrated by U.S. policies—particularly regarding Iran—that could threaten Israeli security, and they feel sidelined in critical diplomatic decisions.

If the concept of Jewish peoplehood is to have any substance, then both communities need to listen to each other more seriously. Israelis should recognize how their government’s actions affect Jews abroad, while American Jews should better appreciate Israel’s security concerns and the reasoning behind its positions. Neither group can afford to ignore the other’s lived experiences.

Ultimately, while governments will continue to act in their own national interests, the Jewish communities in Israel and the U.S. must move beyond simplistic ideas of jurisdiction and develop a more inclusive, empathetic approach to shared challenges and political impacts.