The Role of Dual National Israelis in the U.S. Elections

With five weeks remaining until the U.S. presidential election, the Jerusalem Post has reported that hundreds of thousands of dual-national Israeli-American Jews could have a decisive impact on the election results. Both the U.S. and Israel recognize the right to dual nationality. CNN also reported that two hundred thousand dual nationals residing in Israel have the right to vote in the U.S. elections. However, Mark Zell, a supporter of Donald Trump, one of the presidential candidates, estimated the number of dual nationals living in Israel with voting rights to be over three hundred thousand, stating that every vote cast in favor of Trump 'is very significant.' In 2012, only eighty thousand dual nationals residing in Israel voted in the U.S. presidential election. According to the Jerusalem Post, this time some dual nationals have stated they will only participate in the congressional elections, but it is estimated that the percentage of dual nationals voting in the presidential election will be higher than in the previous election. The U.S. elections will be held on November 8, and ballots from Americans living abroad have already started being sent in. CNN recently posed the question of whether the votes of dual-national Israeli-Americans from five thousand miles away could sway the outcome in favor of Donald Trump. This is while among the approximately six million Jews in America, they have traditionally voted for Democrats. According to CNN, a 2013 study showed that seventy percent of American Jews are Democratic voters. The traditional Jewish vote for Democrats was evident during both of Barack Obama's campaigns, particularly the majority of Jewish votes in his second term, despite Obama having a cold and sometimes tense relationship with the Israeli Prime Minister four years prior. Donald Trump's campaign has recognized the importance of the large number of dual-national Israeli-American voters and has established a campaign office in the country. However, Hillary Clinton's Democratic campaign has not set up an office in Israel. According to CNN, Trump's team remembers that in 2000, George Bush won against his opponent in Florida by just 537 votes. Recent polls in the U.S. show the two candidates nearly neck and neck, with a maximum difference of five percent. This close race has encouraged Trump to seek votes from Israeli-American dual nationals. Recently, Benjamin Netanyahu attended the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he held separate meetings with Clinton and Trump. Netanyahu later stated that Israel has no interference in the U.S. elections and that whoever enters the White House will be 'very good for Israel.' Democrats have sometimes interpreted Netanyahu's closeness to Mitt Romney, Barack Obama's Republican rival in 2012, as a subtle interference and expressed dissatisfaction. Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton recently visited Jerusalem to attend the funeral of prominent Israeli politician Shimon Peres, where they engaged with senior officials and received a warm welcome from Israeli media and public opinion. The Israeli reception for Mr. Clinton was much warmer than the official welcome for Barack Obama, who also attended Peres's funeral and delivered a speech. Meanwhile, Miriam Ben-Yamini, a famous Israeli astrologer, in her predictions for the Hebrew New Year that began on Sunday night, told the Hebrew section of Israel Radio that Israel should prepare for Trump's presidency. This Israeli astrologer, who is consulted by global figures, stated that despite all evidence of Hillary Clinton's better grasp of affairs, 'Trump's star is higher,' and she is confident that Trump will reach the White House. However, she is not the only one expressing such views; the leftist newspaper Haaretz, which is a staunch critic of the Israeli government and American right-wingers, wrote in an article that Trump is more honest in his statements because he shows his true self, which is why he resonates with American voters. This leftist newspaper also noted that despite all the criticisms directed at Trump, it would not be surprising if he wins the election.