US Election Day 2024 is here, and in a post-Oct. 7 world, this one feels more crucial than ever. There's been an overwhelming amount of toxic commentary regarding this election's potential impact on the US-Israel relationship. I've seen too many divisive statements from American Jews who idolize their chosen candidate or party, often demonizing those on the opposite political side. It's almost absurd that some believe their candidate – whether it's Donald Trump or Kamala Harris – alone will define the future trajectory of American Jews.
I am not American, so I feel no need to contribute to the toxic rhetoric, and I know that no matter who wins in November, Israel will somehow survive. I also believe that the US-Israel relationship from a military and intelligence view is ironclad in a way the general public cannot comprehend. In fact, the recent findings from the new Harvard CAPS Harris poll found that at least 80% of Americans polled support Israel over Hamas, 78% want to see Hamas removed from running Gaza, and 71% of Americans think the crisis in Gaza is created mostly by Hamas.
The conversation shouldn't focus on how this election will affect the US-Israel relationship but rather on how it will shape US policy toward Iran. Since the 1979 revolution, neither US party has sustained a consistent, long-term approach to address this threat. Goli Ameri perfectly summarized the problem in The Hill: "Republicans must be uncompromising on Iran, and Democrats need to pursue negotiations at all costs. Neither side has won a trophy yet."
The Iranian regime is one of today's largest-growing threats, and many Americans recognize this. Gallup polling consistently shows that nearly 75% of Americans view a nuclear Iran as a "critical threat" to the US. Even more telling, a recent poll by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans shows that 85% of Iranian Americans do not support returning to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Since 2000, Iran has faced repeated rounds of sanctions for its pursuit of nuclear technology and regional destabilization, yet there has been no long-term plan to halt the regime's ambitions.
On Oct. 26, Israel retaliated against Iran for its indiscriminate attack on Israeli civilians on Oct. 1, 2024, targeting air defenses and key facilities involved in advanced ballistic missile production. Israel has essentially dismantled Tehran's primary strategic capabilities, showing the world just how vulnerable the regime truly is. Now is the time to confront the "head of the snake."
Anyone who cares about Israel needs to care about which person they think is better suited to be commander and chief in handling the Islamic Republic of Iran. There is a sense that because of the election, the Islamic Republic is going to try to make a mad dash for a nuclear bomb, and the person in charge must prioritize and make the difficult decision in doing whatever is possible to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear capabilities – full stop. The next US administration must reapply a maximum pressure campaign and then some when dealing with Iran and must never regard the regime and the Mullahs as reliable or honest negotiating partners.
