What’s “Good for Israel?”: The Kamala Club - Issue Four

I often hear single-issue Jewish voters justify their vote by valuing what’s “Good for Israel.” As a Jew, I believe there’s only one choice.

Dear Kamala Club, 

Many of the subscribers to this newsletter are Jewish, like me. It has been a hard few days in our community, with six hostages in Gaza being murdered after a year of true torture. There truly could be no worse fate. 

I dedicate this issue to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the 23-year-old American-Israeli boy who was captured, maimed, tortured and murdered and whose parents have been bravely advocating for and publically grieving him ever since October 7th.

After his tragic death, a photo of Hersh’s bedroom at home in Jerusalem was posted online. Hanging proudly on his wall, there’s a sign that says “Fight Racism” and a homemade poster that says “Jerusalem is everyone’s”. Hersh was a believer in peace, whereas Kamala’s opponent believes only in division and hatred.

Hersh’s parents, Rachel and Jon, have spoken at a number of televised events, namely the Democratic National Convention. Through mourning, pain and suffering, the Goldberg-Polins still spoke with full hearts at Kamala’s convention, showing their alignment with the candidate and her belief that Israel has the right to defend herself, and still, the ceasefire is imperative.

Since the atrocities of October 7th and this week’s tragic deaths of innocent hostages, the requirement for the U.S. government to be “good for Israel” has been top of mind for many Jewish Americans. What many people do not know is that Kamala Harris and her Jewish husband Doug Emhoff have fought for Israel long before October 7th. Kamala has always made it a priority to visit, deepen her knowledge of and create a meaningful connection with the Jewish nation. Since entering politics, she has fought to support and defend Israel through policy and advocacy.

Despite this, the statement I’ve heard echoed by many of my Jewish relatives and elders is that Kamala is not “good for Israel”. Despite the lack of context that Kamala is an ironclad supporter of Israel and has advocated tirelessly against Hamas’s terrorism, I challenge us to ask ourselves: what does “good for Israel” mean? 

• Is “good for Israel” giving the IDF billions in unbridled support to do whatever Netanyahu’s far-right government commands?

• Is “good for Israel” allowing Israel to continue decimating a population of Palestinian civilians in endless retribution for the October 7th massacre?

• Is “good for Israel” saying “F U” and planning to deport college protestors, ignoring their first amendment rights and the boiling pressure they pose? 

• Is insisting you know what’s “good for Israel” accurate, given that an enormous Tel Aviv protest and strike shows that many Israelis do not even condone Netanyahu’s decisions?

As Jews, we must act out of our Jewish faith and our Jewish values. We must remember that it is a Jewish belief that any human life is worth an entire world. That Palestinians love their children, too.

What’s “good for Israel ” is what Kamala will work tirelessly to do: end this war and push for a ceasefire deal. Advocate for peace in the Middle East. Recognize that more violence means more adversaries for Israel.

Donald Trump, on the other hand…. 

Our 45th president said if elected again, he will “finish the job.” He advocates for the antithesis of what Hersh stood for. The frequently-touted act (and one of his only notable policies regarding Israel) to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem only heightened tensions and threw a wrench in momentum for peace that Obama set in motion. Plus, his MAGA base is composed of raging, violent antisemites, but more on that in another issue.

Don’t forget the obvious — Harris’ future administration is Israel’s ally. Kamala has met with the hostages’ families, initiated the campaign against Hamas’s sexual violence against Israelis, has appointed the Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, to be a fighter for antisemitism, and has signed bills sending aid and national security to Israel. Alliance to Israel is a core tenet of American politics no matter who is president, and that’s not changing.

Let’s follow Hersh’s legacy, and prove to the world that we want what is actually “good for Israel.”  “Good for Israel” is the light at the end of the tunnel. Post-violence. Repenting. Rebuilding trust. Healing. Kamala is campaigning on a strong but just Israel, an end to the violence, and rebuilding after all we’ve lost.

If the message “good for Israel” sounds familiar to you, feel free to send this letter on to friends and family to provide context on why Kamala is our friend and ally.

Z”L Hersh Goldberg-Polin 

Z”L Alexander Lobanov

Z”L Carmel Gat

Z”L Almog Sarusi

Z”L Eden Yerushalmi 

Z”L Ori Danino

May their memories be a blessing.

Signed, 

Zoe Grossinger