Israel worries younger American Jews feel less tied to the Jewish state

Israeli officials and Jewish leaders say younger Jewish Americans are increasingly seeing support for Israel as less central to their identity, prompting efforts to strengthen diaspora ties.

Survey data reveal a growing gap between younger and older Jewish Americans on how essential support for Israel is to their Jewish identity, with only four in ten religious adults under 45 rating it as "extremely" or "very" important. Israeli officials, including the head of the diaspora department, and leaders of the progressive Reform movement warned that the weakening connection could undermine Israel's role as a safe haven, especially as antisemitic incidents rise.

Birthright Israel's CEO highlighted the need to showcase Israel beyond its politics, while exchange programs for teens and summer-camp collaborations aim to foster personal ties. The decline in support follows the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the ensuing Gaza conflict, which sparked campus protests and shifted attitudes among progressive Jews. Both Israeli and diaspora Jewish groups are intensifying outreach to secular and liberal communities, hoping to restore a sense of shared destiny. The broader concern reflects anxieties about Israel's diplomatic standing and the future of global Jewish solidarity.