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Thursday 28 of March 2024

For American Jews, Trump is key figure in Israeli election


AP Photo, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu,FILE - In this Monday, March 25, 2019 file photo, President Donald Trump smiles at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, after signing a proclamation in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington. Trump isn't on the ballot for Israel's national election, yet he's a dominant factor for many American Jews as they assess the high stakes of balloting on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu,FILE - In this Monday, March 25, 2019 file photo, President Donald Trump smiles at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, after signing a proclamation in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington. Trump isn't on the ballot for Israel's national election, yet he's a dominant factor for many American Jews as they assess the high stakes of balloting on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

NEW YORK (AP) — Israel’s prime minister has aligned closely with Donald Trump in his battle for political survival ahead of Tuesday’s elections — a troubling tactic for the roughly 75% of American Jewish voters who lean Democratic.

Benjamin Netanyahu featured Trump in a recent campaign video, while Trump has made a series of policy moves viewed as strengthening Netanyahu in the eyes of Israeli voters, including relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

The American Jewish community — numbering 5.5 million to 6 million — leans Democratic overall but is not monolithic. Most older Jews remain supportive of Israel’s current Middle East policies, as does the roughly 10% of the Jewish population that is Orthodox.

But many liberal American Jews fear Netanyahu will push Israel’s government even further to the right if he wins.