update desk

Bethany Mandel pens ‘Jewish case for sending Nikki Haley to the White House’

An op-ed in “The Forward” cites foreign policy, school choice and religious liberty as reasons for Jewish enthusiasm for the Republican candidate.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, November 2021. Source: Screenshot.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, November 2021. Source: Screenshot.

Nikki Haley’s views on foreign policy, school choice and religious liberty are “clear strengths” that endear her to the Republican Jewish electorate, author and commentator Bethany Mandel wrote in an op-ed on Wednesday in The Forward.

The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina held a public announcement of her candidacy for president on Feb. 15.

“Haley counts Jews with deep knowledge of these issues among members of her inner circle,” wrote Mandel of the three key areas she identified.

Among the achievements Mandel details in the piece are the then-governor signing South Carolina’s statewide, anti-BDS legislation—the nation’s first—and Haley’s staunch support of Israel, including firmly backing the decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Mandel, who has six children and homeschools the older ones, cited Haley’s support for school choice as another motivator for conservative Jewish voters. She pointed to a 2021 survey from Nishma Research that found the top challenge that Modern Orthodox Jewish families face is the cost of education.

In announcing so early—she is the second candidate to throw her hat into the Republican ring after former U.S. President Donald Trump—Haley faces potential risk (running out of cash) and reward (cementing early support), wrote Mandel, adding that “the enthusiasm of Republican Jewish voters, not to mention friends of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, is well-earned.”

You have read 3 articles this month.
Register to receive full access to JNS.

Just before you scroll on...

Israel is at war. JNS is combating the stream of misinformation on Israel with real, honest and factual reporting. In order to deliver this in-depth, unbiased coverage of Israel and the Jewish world, we rely on readers like you. The support you provide allows our journalists to deliver the truth, free from bias and hidden agendas. Can we count on your support? Every contribution, big or small, helps JNS.org remain a trusted source of news you can rely on.

Become a part of our mission by donating today
Topics
Comments
Thank you. You are a loyal JNS Reader.
You have read more than 10 articles this month.
Please register for full access to continue reading and post comments.
Never miss a thing
Get the best stories faster with JNS breaking news updates