Jewish Voters Deserting Democrats Over Anti-Israel Bias

Former Democrat Melissa Chapman explains why she feels President Biden and Democrats have abandoned Jewish voters, particularly after Vice President Kamala Harris expressed solidarity with anti-Israel protesters.

Jewish voters have traditionally been a reliable Democratic voting bloc, but a growing number are expressing disillusionment with the party's stance on Israel and antisemitism. This trend has been exacerbated by recent comments made by Vice President Kamala Harris, who voiced sympathy for anti-Israel protesters.

Melissa Chapman, a former Democrat, told "Fox & Friends" that she feels "completely abandoned" by the Democratic Party since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. She criticized Harris for blaming Hamas for the conflict and ignoring the suffering of Israelis.

Jewish Voters Deserting Democrats Over Anti-Israel Bias

"She puts no blame on Hamas, zero blame on Hamas," Chapman said. "The VP is saying that… she feels bad for the people in Gaza. She doesn't care about the people in Israel being blown up."

Chapman, who identifies herself as a former progressive voter, said she feels the Democratic Party has drifted away from its traditional values and become more aligned with socialism. She now believes that the Republican Party is more in line with her views on Israel and other issues.

Jewish Voters Deserting Democrats Over Anti-Israel Bias

"The Democratic Party that we knew from 2020 is no longer the Democratic Party now," Chapman said. "It's more like a socialist party, and it's changing. I feel Republicans are like old school liberal Democrats… so, for me, the Republicans are the only way to go at this point."

Other Jewish Democrats have also expressed concerns about the party's stance on Israel. In a recent article, Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Halie Soifer wrote that the party "must do more to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and to combat antisemitism."

Jewish Voters Deserting Democrats Over Anti-Israel Bias

The Israel-Hamas War has placed many prominent Democrats – including President Biden – in a predicament with key demographics that have consistently voted blue. Many pro-Palestinian progressives have shifted their support from Biden over their discontent with providing aid for Israel.

On the contrary, some Jewish voters – also a longstanding Democratic voting bloc – have begun to rethink their support for the party, with those like Chapman disillusioned with the Democrats' response to war in the Middle East and antisemitism unfolding domestically.

Jewish Voters Deserting Democrats Over Anti-Israel Bias

A recent survey by the American Jewish Committee found that 38% of Jewish Democrats believe that the Democratic Party is not doing enough to address antisemitism. The survey also found that 29% of Jewish Democrats say they are less likely to vote for Democratic candidates in the future.

Experts believe that Jewish Americans could show a "significant change" in voting, supporting more Republican candidates in 2024 if the Democratic Party continues to alienate them.

Jewish Voters Deserting Democrats Over Anti-Israel Bias