In the days leading up to July 4, Independence Day, the streets are painted red, blue and white and the scent of patriotism wafts through the air.
True, I am Israeli, and in many cases these are also the values that guide me. But as someone who has lived on the line for the past two decades, I too contracted the local bug. There is something mesmerizing about the feeling that anything is possible and that anyone can succeed. These are the things that made America what it is.
For years, the American idea has fascinated many. The reason for this lies at the foundation of the idea of individualism, freedom of religion and individual rights. Anyone can reinvent and rebuild themselves in America. It is not for nothing that the Jewish community found a home here, and became one of the most prosperous in the world. Thanks to these values, American Jews were able to integrate substantially into the way of the state. This is also why American Jews feel at home here, and see themselves first and foremost as Americans. The Jewish community is known for its concern for the future of the United States. Throughout history, they have fought for civil and minority rights in the country and for maintaining its democratic character.
As far as Israelis are concerned, American Jews' identification with the United States does not always slip down their throats. It is an unfortunate paradox that American anti-Semites accuse American Jews of dual loyalty and assign cruel stereotypes to them, while their brethren in Israel do not forgive them for allowing their American values to guide them.
Yes, American Jews see themselves first and foremost as Americans. Moreover, data show that there is an upward trend in their criticism of the State of Israel, but it is important to understand that most American Jews live in peace with their American identity on the one hand and with their Jewish identity and connection to Israel on the other. As far as they are concerned, there is no contradiction in this, and they are allowed to voice criticism. We need to change the line of thinking that identifying as American first necessarily means that Israel is less important to them. As we see these days, the Jewish community is very busy with what is happening in the land of our forefathers, and they are sincerely concerned about the future of the state of the Jewish people.
Unlike Israeli Jews, who are the majority in Israel, American Jews live as a minority of only two percent of the total population in their country. Like other groups in the country, they choose to be Americans first. Most of us in Israel are not familiar with this mentality, and therefore find it difficult to understand.
As Israelis, we must learn what values motivate them and recognize the secret of their success in assimilating into American society, and why they chose to do so. It is precisely the connection between Jewish and American values that makes American Jews such important allies, and not only that they are an important side in the strategic Israel-U.S.-American Jewry triangle. The American Jewish community understands that this opens many doors for the State of Israel. We, in Israel, do not have to agree with all the values and actions of American Jews, but for the sake of the unity of the Jewish people it is important that we get to know them, and at least it is important that we understand that they are first and foremost Americans, and not force them to choose between the United States and Israel.
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