Israel and America need each other now more than ever

Like Americans vote todayIsrael is watching with hope and concern. Our country faces unprecedented struggles, fighting on multiple fronts—with neighbors to the north and south and even adversaries across the sea. For Israel, the stakes in this election go beyond typical political shifts; we need a staunch ally in the White House, a leader who not only promises unwavering support but also truly understands Israel’s role as the only democracy in the Middle East.

In recent days, both candidates – Kamala Harris And Donald Trump – voiced a strong position on Gaza and the wider conflict. Harris emphasized support for the Muslim community, calling for an end to what she called a humanitarian crisis, while Trump assured Americans he would quickly end the war between Israel and Hamas.

“We must remember our obligations to all communities, including our Muslim neighbors,” Harris said recently, underscoring her call for compassion in US foreign policy. Trump, meanwhile, made his intentions clear, saying: “We need peace, and I will bring that peace to Gaza. Enough lives have been lost.”

These claims are being closely watched here in Israel, where more than 100 Israeli citizens reportedly remain captured by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and it is feared that about half of them are dead. For those of us who are waiting and hoping for their safe return, we call on the next US President to make their release a priority as part of America’s commitment to Israel’s security. Because of its influence, the United States can and should do everything in its power to bring the hostages home.

In this election, we remind the American people and those in power of the reality of Israel: our country is the only Jewish state, a place built on the dreams and struggles of those who lived through the unthinkable. Israel was not created to provoke conflict, but as a beacon of freedom and hope for the Jewish people, a refuge and democracy where all citizens – Jews, Muslims and Christians – live with dignity and rights.

A poll worker throws ballots into a ballot box in San Diego, California, USA, March 3, 2020. (Photo: MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS)

However, today anti-Semitism in the United States is at its highest level in decades. This rise in hatred threatens not only the Jewish community, but also the values on which America was founded. We call on the next president to make combating anti-Semitism a national priority, ensuring that American Jews feel safe in their country. Leaders must take a strong stand against hatred and discrimination, take this crisis seriously, and demonstrate that the rights and safety of Jews are a priority.

Frontline of Democracy

Israel’s struggle is not just about us; it is the front line of democratic values. America has long been our strongest ally, and we need a strong US now more than ever. With Hamas holding hostages, civilians in danger, and military assistance critical to our defense, we call on both candidates to honor America’s legacy of support for Israel. We call on them to give Israel the freedom to complete its mission, free its captives, secure our borders, and ensure that such threats never threaten our children again.

America also needs Israel. This is not a one-way relationship. Israel is at the forefront of the fight against radical Islam, and for Iran and terrorist organizations, the United States is as much an enemy as Israel.

Our prayer is simple but vital: May the next US president recognize that Israel is not only a strategic ally, but also a symbol of resilience and freedom in a troubled region. The challenges we face may be greater than ever, but together, with a strong America at our side, we will endure. May this election mark a chapter in which Israel’s right to peaceful existence is fiercely defended, and may the bond between our peoples be stronger than ever before.

We take comfort in the words of Isaiah: “No weapon formed against you will prosper, and you will refute every tongue that rises up against you in judgment. This is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17). May these words inspire us and remind our allies of the resilience that binds Israel and the Jewish people, and may the bond between our peoples become stronger than ever before.