Israel support sways vote of US expats in SA

For many Jewish American citizens living in South Africa, the choice of who to vote for in the 5 November presidential elections was based on how that person would deal with Israel.

For Rabbi Levi Silman, born in the United States (US), but living in Cape Town for the past 18 years, voting never seemed to be of the utmost importance. However, with the state of US politics combined with the war in Israel, Silman felt it important to cast his ballot this year. “The issues are more important, especially with Israel at war. It’s an important time to make a difference, and try to see what we can do to help,” he said.

Mark Stein, the chief executive of Adam International Group, said that though he had experienced many elections since 1960, he believed this one was the most pivotal. “It was vital to vote as we are in extremely dangerous and volatile times,” he said. “I believe when America is weak, its enemies pounce, as shown by many foreign wars in progress in the world. A vote for change ushers in a new golden era.”

Similarly, Antony Seeff, a 41-year-old entrepreneur in the health-technology industry, said that even though he had been a US citizen for the past three elections, he believed this year was different. He felt a “strong responsibility to make my voice heard, particularly given the significant influence that the US president and administration have on Israel”.

“If I were living in America, I would weigh up various domestic, fiscal, and social issues,” Seeff said. “However, as a Jew living abroad, my primary concern was Israel.”

A Johannesburg mother, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of being attacked for her political views, said she felt a compulsion to vote in these elections which she hadn’t felt during the past two. “The US is in a bit of a mess right now, so I wanted to be able to put in my two cents,” she said. “I was voting for my conscience.

“Trump is better for Israel. He moved the US embassy to Jerusalem, and has worked with a lot of Jewish advisors. He said he wants to help combat antisemitism, and I think the Democrats have done a shocking job of it,” she said.

“The current administration has been terrible at combating antisemitism. A lot of hate has been spewed, and Biden has done absolutely nothing about it.

“I don’t like Trump, but he has done and said so many good things for Israel and the Jewish people. Right now, with the state of the world, he’s the better choice,” she said.

Said Stein, “Donald Trump’s presidency was marked by significant societal shifts, and I appreciate his unconventional approach to governance and his willingness to challenge established norms. Trump’s presidency brought economic growth, with low unemployment rates and major tax cuts. Also, Trump demonstrated support for Israel and the Jewish community through various policies, including recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. For generations, presidents promised to move the embassy but reneged. Trump cut funding to the Palestinian Authority. He also withdrew from Obama’s Iranian nuclear deal. His administration also took a strong stance against antisemitism.

“Even though it’s so far away, it’s still the same adrenalised experience I had when I voted in the US,” Stein said.

Said Seeff, “It was straightforward but more involved than I had anticipated. First, I had to register by sending a “wet signature” to the New York City Board of Elections. After that, I received my mail-in ballot via email. Though some states allow online submission, New York, where I’m registered, required me to print the forms, complete them, and deliver them to the US consulate on Sandton Drive. I was also able to mail them directly should I have chosen to do so.”

Silman agreed that the voting process was tedious and there was a lot more paperwork than he had initially anticipated. “You had to register online, then they sent you a form to fill out and you had to send in that form, and then you had to print out a ballot and send in the ballot. So it’s not just clicking a button.”

He hopes this election “brings a greater sense of stability, not only in the US but in the world as a whole, and the world can be a safer place”.