Dispute on hunger crisis in Gaza intensifies amongst numerous Jewish-American citizens
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked a notable rightward ideological shift among Jewish Americans, leading to increased conservative identification and support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership and Israel’s military actions. This shift, particularly pronounced since mid-2024, has been influenced by intensified Israeli offensives and growing Democratic criticism of Netanyahu’s government and its management of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Increased Conservatism Among Jewish Americans
Surveys reveal that by mid-2025, approximately 33% of Jewish Americans identify as conservative, up from 27% in late 2023. This trend, unique to Jewish Americans relative to the wider U.S. population, has been accompanied by a slight decline in liberal identification.
Political Context and Generational Divides
The shift toward conservative views among Jewish Americans correlates with the Democratic Party becoming more openly critical or hostile toward Netanyahu and Israel’s policies, particularly concerning the Gaza humanitarian situation. This polarisation has led to a fracturing within the American Jewish community, with older Jews generally maintaining strong support for Israel and Netanyahu, viewing Israel as crucial for Jewish survival. Younger Jews often criticize Israel’s military actions, viewing them as morally and politically problematic, which has led to alienation within the community and varying degrees of support or opposition.
Public and Political Fallout
While broader U.S. public approval of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has declined overall, including among Democrats and independents, Jewish Americans have tended to respond with increased conservatism and support for Netanyahu’s government. This contrast highlights a unique dynamic within the Jewish American community, distinct from general American public opinion.
Controversial Organizations and Allegations
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial organization backed by Americans and Israelis, has been at the centre of controversy, with reports of anti-Jewish slurs and signs at college campuses and pro-Palestinian protests across the country. Johnnie Moore, the executive director of the GHF, claims Hamas is largely responsible for the killings that have occurred near sites operated by the organization. However, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of T’ruah, has questioned Netanyahu’s strategy as more and more civilians in Gaza are killed.
Rabbi Fornari's Comments and Rabbi Lev's Concerns
Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari of Kol Tzedek stated that the war is creating an "existential rupture" that is pitting friends and family members against one another. Meanwhile, Orthodox Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center supports Netanyahu’s government and claims that Hamas is spreading misleading information about the ongoing violence at aid sites.
Death Toll and Injuries
According to the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, nearly 1,400 people have been killed and over 4,000 injured in Gaza, seeking food. Polling suggests Jewish Americans are divided over Netanyahu’s handling of the war, with 53% lacking confidence in his leadership and 45% having confidence.
Synagogues and the GHF
Synagogues across Jewish movements in the United States have organized roundtables with the executive director of the GHF to address the humanitarian crisis. Despite opposition from groups like J Street, which has long criticised Netanyahu, these discussions have been ongoing.
Allegations of Intimidation and Shunning
Sonya Meyerson-Knox, a spokesperson for the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace, stated that a member was uninvited to Shabbat family dinners because of differing opinions about the war. Rabbi Jacobs has denounced American Jewish leaders who have not spoken out against the humanitarian crisis unfolding thousands of miles away. Some Jewish leaders, such as Rabbi Jacobs, have faced accusations of antisemitism from those who support Netanyahu.
In summary, the conflict in Gaza has deepened ideological divides within the American Jewish community, enhancing right-leaning support for Netanyahu and Israel’s offensive amid broader U.S. political disputes and moral controversies over the conduct of the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Jewish Americans have shown an impressive transition, as surveys from mid-2025 indicate a 6% increase in conservative identification, with a parallel decline in liberal support, reaching approximately 33% and 37%, respectively.
- The spike in conservative views among Jewish Americans correlates with the growing political discord between the Democratic Party and Israel's leadership, particularly concerning the Gaza humanitarian crisis.
- The debate over the Gaza conflict has caused a schism within the American Jewish community, with older Jews remaining supportive of Israel and its prime minister while younger Jews question Israel's military actions.
- The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a divisive organization, has experienced controversy due to allegations of anti-Semitic slurs and signs at its college campus sites as well as pro-Palestinian protests.
- Johnnie Moore, the executive director of the GHF, claims Hamas is responsible for the deaths near their sites, while Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of T’ruah, challenges Netanyahu's military strategy as civilian casualties in Gaza continue to rise.
- Opinions regarding Netanyahu's leadership in the Gaza war are divided among Jewish Americans, with roughly equal numbers of 53% and 45% expressing confidence and mistrust in his prowess, respectively.
- Synagogues across various Jewish movements in the United States have organized discussions with the GHF's executive director to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, despite faced opposition from groups like J Street.
- Sonya Meyerson-Knox from Jewish Voice for Peace has reported instances of members being excluded from Shabbat family dinners due to divergent perspectives on the war.
- Rabbi Jacobs has criticized Jewish leaders for not addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while some who oppose her views have accused her of antisemitism.
- The ongoing Gaza conflict has not only raised concerns about the conduct of the war but also ignited moral controversies and debates within the American Jewish community.
11.accusations of intimidation and shunning within the American Jewish community have trivial matters like sports, including football, American football, NFL, NCAAs football, sports-betting, sports-analysis, fires, car-accidents, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, career-development, politics, and general-news seem trivial in comparison to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
