Most Israelis view Trump’s policies as more supportive of Israel’s security needs and worry that Harris could seize power.
As Americans head to the polls on November 5, 2024, Israelis are closely monitoring the election, with a significant portion expressing a preference for former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. This sentiment largely stems from deep-seated concerns over Israel’s security and a perception that Trump’s policies more directly align with Israeli interests. With ongoing regional tensions, especially heightened since the recent conflict with Hamas, many Israelis feel the outcome of this election will have direct implications for their national security.
A recent poll indicates that 66% of Israelis favor Trump in the 2024 presidential election, whereas Vice President Harris garners only about 17% support. This disparity reflects both Trump’s previous actions that resonated with Israelis and a sense of unease about the current Democratic administration’s policies. Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, his acknowledgment of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, his administration’s move to defund UNRWA (the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees), and his role in brokering the Abraham Accords have all left a lasting impression on the Israeli public. Israelis view these moves as a demonstration of unwavering support for Israel’s security and sovereignty, fostering a sense of trust in Trump’s approach to the region.
On the other hand, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has received limited traction among Israelis, with many expressing concerns over what they perceive as a softer stance on Middle Eastern issues. Israelis have noticed what they view as a lack of decisive support from the current administration during the recent conflict. Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, voiced these concerns openly, stating, “Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel [to Gaza], which goes to Hamas. If Trump was in power, the U.S. conduct would be completely different.” This view resonates with many Israelis who see strong, unambiguous U.S. support as critical to Israel’s security, particularly in light of threats from Hamas and Iran.
For the average Israeli, the U.S. election is not just a foreign affair but a matter of immediate consequence. Billboards promoting Trump have appeared across Israel, highlighting the depth of his support. These billboards symbolize a public endorsement from a wide range of Israelis, who feel that the security-focused policies Trump championed previously provided Israel with a stronger hand in regional affairs. Netanel Worthy, a former lifelong Democrat now residing in Safed, Israel, recently switched his allegiance to the Republican Party, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current Democratic Party and growing concerns over Israel’s future under their policies. Worthy’s shift is indicative of a broader trend within Israel’s American voter base, many of whom have become disenchanted with what they perceive as a shift in the Democratic Party’s stance on Middle Eastern issues.
While Trump’s support among Israelis is significant, it reflects not just admiration for his past actions but an urgent desire for security assurances in a volatile region. As the election unfolds, Israelis remain watchful, understanding that the outcome will not only shape U.S.-Israel relations but may also set the tone for Israel’s security posture in the coming years.
The Israelis viewing our US election as having an impact on them are correct, but just FYI, Israeli elections have just as much impact on us here in the US, believers or not, because ISRAEL is the focus of Yhwh God’s plans for ALL humanity! It matters not a whit whether you or we believe in Him or not; His plan is unfolding just as prophesied, and will impact every living creature on Earth, including the plant life. So we, who know that, watch your politics avidly as well.