The global diplomatic landscape for Israel has undergone a seismic shift since October 7. The evidence is stark: mass protests in European capitals, Latin American nations severing ties, and international arrest warrants issued for the Prime Minister and Defense Minister. Furthermore, a growing list of Western nations, including Australia, Canada, Spain, Norway, France, Ireland, and the U.K., have abandoned longstanding policy to recognize a Palestinian state. Historically, Israel could view such developments with frustration while resting assured that its primary ally, the United States, steadfastly supported it.

Unfortunately, that same diplomatic tide is now reaching American shores. While the American Left has long been home to strident anti-Zionist voices, prominent figures on the Right now appear to be their mirror image. Conservative media personalities such as Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Megyn Kelly have, in an almost overnight transformation, now provided some of the country’s most prominent anti-Israel platforms. A growing contingent of “MAGA” influencers now voices deep skepticism of the Jewish State, questioning it’s right to exist and alleging its involvement in the most nefarious conspiracies. The immense popularity of these podcasts should be cause for concern for any supporter of Israel.

However, once relegated to the online fringes, these sentiments are now moving into the halls of power. In Congress, former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene became the first sitting Republican to label Israel’s war in Gaza a “genocide.” Meanwhile, the refusal of high-profile leaders like Vice President Vance and organizations like the Heritage Foundation to condemn the platforming of extremist voices highlights a shifting consensus towards greater animosity to Israel (and Jews). Recent events hosted by Turning Point USA, a major political pipeline for right-leaning youth, indicate that anti-Israel views are no longer taboo within the conservative movement. These developments suggest that future American support for Israel is no longer guaranteed.

To “stem the bleeding” and build a sustainable U.S.-Israel relationship for the decades ahead, there are several key actions Israel can and must undertake now:

Diversification of Allies and Defense Supply Chains

The reliability of traditional Western allies has proven fickle. Diplomatic losses and threats to withhold munitions, even from the U.S. under the Biden Administration, demonstrate Israel’s urgent need to diversify its strategic partnerships and defense procurement strategy. While Israel should work to mend relations with the West, the “Global South” offers significant diplomatic opportunities. Efforts to deepen ties with India and sub-Saharan Africa should continue at full speed and Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland highlight how it can be creative in finding new allies.

Additionally, Israel must develop its own domestic defense industry to reduce vulnerability. Phasing out U.S. military aid over the next decade, as recently suggested by Prime Minister Netanyahu, would insulate Israel from diplomatic pressure during wartime and undercut a primary talking point of domestic anti-Israel critics.

Strategic Investment in U.S. Higher Education

The U.S. university system is a primary incubator for anti-Israel rhetoric. Israel is currently losing the battle for influence to Qatar, a primary benefactor of Hamas. According to U.S. Department of Education data, Qatar has donated about $7.7 billion to U.S. colleges, the highest in the world. In contrast, Israel ranks 29th with approximately $464 million in donations. To avoid ceding the next generation of political, academic, business leaders, Israel must significantly increase its financial investment in the U.S. education system.

Showcasing Ethnic and Religious Diversity

Israel is a multi-ethnic society, comprised of Ashkenazi and Mizrahi Jews, Muslim and Christian Arabs, Druze, and Ethiopians. However, this diversity gets lost in most discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with much focus on the simplified binary of the “white oppressor vs. the brown oppressed”. To combat this narrative, Israel should recruit members of its minority groups to serve in key media and diplomatic roles. While still staying true to Israel’s essence as a Jewish State, the inclusion of a diverse array of minorities as the public face of Israel would highlight the country as the tolerant and democratic country it is and blunt critiques of the nation as a “colonial project”.

Diplomatic Outreach to Rural America

Israel’s nine U.S. consulates are in major cosmopolitan hubs like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. However, winning rural America is often the key to winning the White House, as seen in recent presidential elections. Israel should therefore establish smaller satellite offices in more rural areas to provide extra diplomatic coverage and outreach to those areas currently bereft of much Israeli exposure and are susceptible to misconceptions about the State of Israel.

Cultivating New Religious Alliances

While Evangelical Christians have historically been Israel’s most reliable U.S. supporters, younger generations are shifting toward other movements, such as the “TradCath” (Traditionalist Catholic) phenomenon. Israel must broaden its outreach to other Christian sects that makeup the conservative coalition, as well as to others like the American Hindu community, as Indian Americans like Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance are becoming increasingly prominent. Israel must get creative in building alliances with all groups with shared histories, values, and interests.

As said, Israel currently faces the most severe diplomatic and public relations crisis in its history. However, by rejecting complacency and adopting a proactive strategy, the country still has numerous tools at its disposal to successfully cultivate a sustainable U.S.-Israel relationship for the decades ahead.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)