The wail of rocket alert sirens in Tel Aviv punctuated our Tuesday afternoon conversation, a stark reminder that while seismic political shifts unfold in America, Israel remains at war. The intersection of these realities would soon emerge as a central theme of our discussion.
At the BSI offices, a company run by Republican Party representatives Ariel Sender and attorney Marc Zell, they paint a picture of a meticulously executed ground campaign that transformed Israel's American expatriate community into a significant voting bloc. Zell has volunteered as chairman of the party's Israeli branch for decades, while Sender, a right-wing political activist since his youth, has spent years working in lobbying, campaigning, and public relations. His frequent appearances on Israeli media channels during the American election months became a familiar sight to viewers. Together, they orchestrated what they describe as the most successful overseas voting drive in US electoral history.
Their operation successfully reached and activated at least 300,000 eligible voters – an achievement that required navigating complex bureaucratic hurdles and overcoming widespread voter apathy. "The American-Israeli voter represents a unique demographic," Zell explained, distinguishing them from temporary expatriates in other countries. "These are deeply rooted Israelis who maintain their American citizenship across generations. Many didn't even realize they could vote."
The effort to harness this potential began years ago. A 2012 initiative called "I Vote Israel" laid the groundwork, though it wasn't until 2016 that Republicans began openly courting the Israeli-American vote. The voting statistics reflect this progression: participation increased from 120,000 voters in the Clinton-Trump race to 160,000 in 2020, before reaching this year's unprecedented levels. Meanwhile, Democratic outreach remained virtually nonexistent.
"The results were overwhelming," Zell reported. "90% of participants voted for Trump." The campaign's success relied on three key components, according to Sender: digital outreach, strategic advertising on the Israeli Channel 14, and high-visibility billboards along the Ayalon Highway. However, the events of Oct. 7, 2023, proved to be the decisive factor, galvanizing voters across demographic lines who might otherwise have remained on the sidelines.
"People from all segments of the population who previously weren't interested in American elections voted for the first time because they felt they had to do everything possible to replace the current administration. I had elderly and young voters, reserve soldiers, and even someone who was 94 years old. There was also a new phenomenon of ultra-Orthodox voting in high numbers, presumably following rabbinical guidance," Zell recounted.
American bureaucracy
Their campaign faced two significant challenges. After successfully raising awareness among potential voters, ground operations director Maayan Yaakov, computer systems director Carol Gazit, party spokesman Or Amior, and strategic advisor Dana Mizrachi-Brauda encountered the complexities of American electoral bureaucracy.
Unlike Israel's straightforward voting process, the American system requires voters to navigate elaborate forms covering multiple electoral races. For overseas voters, this complexity multiplies, with procedures varying by state and district. The campaign team responded by providing individualized guidance through countless consultation sessions, with volunteers managing a constant stream of inquiries about state-specific requirements.
"Our volunteers worked the hardest," Sender noted. "Each caller needed specific instructions based on their voting district." A recurring concern emerged: A recurring concern emerged: why vote in states where the outcome seemed certain? With states like New York and New Jersey reliably Democratic, and Florida consistently Republican, many questioned the value of participating.
The answer emerged only after the election. Trump's strategy extended beyond securing electoral votes; he sought a decisive victory in the popular vote as well. "Trump understood that overwhelming numbers were the best defense against potential electoral challenges," Sender explained. "Every headquarters, domestic and international, was instructed to maximize turnout, regardless of state dynamics."
What's happening in Israel
Trump surpassed Harris by roughly 3 million votes, with Israeli voters accounting for about one-tenth of that margin. Additionally, about 100,000 Israelis are registered in swing states, primarily Pennsylvania, meaning the ballots from Israel had a direct impact on the crucial battlegrounds.
Zell revealed that the process faced resistance. "Pennsylvania and Michigan officials initially created obstacles for votes from Israel," he said. "It took repeated interventions from campaign headquarters to ensure these ballots were counted." The memory of 2020's contested outcome remained fresh, lending urgency to securing every vote.
The Republican Party maintains 50 international branches, but Israel holds particular strategic importance due to its connection to evangelical Christian voters. "Every development in Israel resonated with this crucial constituency," Sender explained. "Campaign activities, from our opening campaign event in Gush Etzion to election rallies in Samaria and billboards in Jerusalem, were immediately relayed to mobilize evangelical communities stateside."
Communications director Or Amior, a veteran of previous campaigns, noted a marked shift in Israeli public opinion. "The transformation from 2016, when our operation was virtually unknown, to this year's overwhelming engagement, was remarkable," he observed. "Despite the complexities of running an American campaign during wartime, the circumstances heightened awareness of the election's significance. The massive Ayalon Highway billboards, which in past cycles might have drawn criticism, instead garnered widespread support across demographic lines."
Indeed, what ultimately matters is how Trump's overwhelming victory will affect US-Israel relations. The key appointments announced this week by the president-elect exceed all expectations. In 2016, Trump arrived unprepared, lacking experience in public administration and especially in managing the world's leading superpower. Many appointments were quickly regretted, leading to constant turnover in ministers and advisors.
We were like those who dream
First and foremost is the National Security Advisor, the position closest to the president and most influential in foreign and defense matters. Trump chose Mike Waltz for this position, a congressman from Florida who is, among other things, a staunch supporter of Israel. Waltz's position is that in addition to restoring maximum pressure on Iran through sanctions, it should be threatened militarily. This is exactly the message Israel expects.
The designated Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has also advocated for a more aggressive stance toward Iran. "Sometimes we have moments, and I happen to believe we can't kick the can down the road any longer in trying to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb," he said in 2020. "What better time than now to say 'We're starting the clock, you've got a week, you've got X amount of time before we start taking out your energy production facilities. We take out key infrastructure, we take out your missile sites, we take out nuclear developments, we take out port capabilities.' I know that's not a popular idea. I don't want boots on the ground, I don't want occupation, I don't want endless war, but Iran has been in an endless war with us for 40 years."
Hegseth, like most senior officials around Trump, recognizes the Jewish people's right to Judea and Samaria and therefore doesn't oppose settlement in these areas. He also supports Jews' right to pray in Temple Mount. "I saw the Waqf there following Jews, preventing them from praying and photographing them. I saw Muslims praying, while Jews and Christians are forbidden. It raises questions," he said in 2019 after visiting the Mount with Rabbi Chaim Richman.
The designated US Ambassador, Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, is among the founders of the Christian-Jewish Alliance in the US. For 50 years, he has been leading tourist groups throughout Israel. Huckabee, a close friend of Trump, is an absolute supporter of Israel, sometimes more than the Israelis themselves. He supports Israeli settlement in Judea and Samaria. "There are words I don't say. 'West Bank', 'settlements'. No – these are communities, villages, and cities in Judea and Samaria," he declared on one occasion.
Marco Rubio, the designated Secretary of State, is a sworn supporter who also doesn't need any explanation about our challenges. Rubio will stand absolutely with Israel on the Palestinian issue as well. He too doesn't say "territories" or "West Bank," but "Judea and Samaria." Upon taking office, he is expected to cancel the sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Israeli citizens – a move he strongly opposed.
Elise Stefanik, the designated UN Ambassador, raised only one single issue in the announcement she published after Trump chose her. "The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing," Stefanik wrote. She recently gained prominence for her role in the congressional hearing that led to the resignation of several top university presidents over their inadequate response to campus antisemitism. Stefanik, who is also a very intelligent person, is prepared for what she sees as the most urgent battle in the glass building in Manhattan.
Dana Mizrachi-Brauda, the campaign's strategic advisor and former Defense Ministry spokesperson, explains what these appointments could mean in practical terms. "With these appointees in key Washington positions, Israeli defense officials won't need to beg at the Pentagon for military supplies. Trump will let the IDF focus on winning the war instead of worrying about military procurement. He left the White House with the Abraham Accords as his legacy, and now he's returning after four years to end the wars," Mizrachi-Brauda said.
The war's conclusion is likely to be a key topic when Trump and Netanyahu meet after the inauguration. "Trump wants to end conflicts, but he also wants to let Israel achieve its objectives. It's a delicate balance," Zell said. He emphasized that Israel's case is different from Ukraine's, where Republican support has decreased. "Trump will give us room to win, but he'll also want to see an endpoint."
Sender dismissed concerns about Trump potentially abandoning Israel due to growing Republican isolationist tendencies. "We met with Donald Trump Jr. this summer – he's now the most influential figure in the campaign. His message was clear: 'You need to win, and we'll give you everything.'"
