Liberal Jews do not need to choose between political homelessness and unconditional defense of Israel. But the old arrangement—reliably Democratic at home, broadly supportive of Israel abroad, and accepted across the center-left—is plainly breaking down. I am proposing a third way forward: The viable alternative is to become a more independent, explicit, and organized political bloc.

A necessary first move is to reject two false choices:

“Defend every Israeli policy or help Israel’s enemies.”

“Renounce Zionism or forfeit membership in the progressive coalition.”

These principles are for me non-negotiable. Liberal Zionism encompasses: Jewish and Palestinian national self-determination; Israeli security; opposition to Hamas and political violence; opposition to settlement expansion, annexation, collective punishment, and Jewish supremacism; and democratic equality within Israel.

As we know these principles today are under pressure and threat, but they remain core to a Zionist vision of Jewish national identity.

Diagnosing the American Political Landscape:

The Democratic coalition has moved sharply toward the Palestinians. Gallup’s 2026 survey found that 65% of Democrats sympathized more with Palestinians and 17% with Israelis. Yet sympathy for Palestinians is not necessarily rejection of Israel’s existence. A candidate who opposes offensive weapons, condemns Netanyahu, or favors recognition of Palestine may still accept an Israeli state. Conversely, someone can use the language of human rights while excluding Zionist Jews, rationalizing violence against Israelis, or treating Jews as collectively culpable.

Those distinctions matter. “Anti-Israel” is too broad a category for effective politics.

The party’s last national platform still supported Israel’s security, Palestinian statehood, and a negotiated two-state outcome. The Democratic Party therefore........

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