This Israeli election is significant for the future of the Israeli-diaspora relationship, in that it marks a pinnacle in the fracture between Israeli and American Jews. Under another Netanyahu government, discontent on the left and among middle-of-the-road Jews is likely to escalate. But in reality, that may be the case under any Israeli government that ends up forming.Republicans want to believe American Jews might vote GOP as a result of Trump’s support of Israel. They are likely to be disappointed.
Republicans need to understand perhaps 2/3 of American Jews don’t especially approve of Israel as currently constituted and functioning. Israelis live in a tough neighborhood and support tough policies.
Trump’s endorsement of those policies, popular in Israel, wins few friends among American Jews. The latter don't live in that tough environment and find the policies distasteful, even embarrassing.
