The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) has conducted an in-depth analysis of trends among American Jews (who constitute nearly half of the global Jewish population) against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Israel and the upcoming US presidential elections. This study was conducted through the “Voice of the Jewish People” panel, which evaluates survey responses according to the principal political and religious affiliations within American Judaism.
Perceptions of Security
The findings indicate that the war in Israel has profoundly impacted the sense of security for many American Jews, with respondents expressing that they feel “less safe” or “concerned” about their personal security.
Across all groups surveyed, four out of five US Jews reported a decline in their personal sense of security due to the war in Israel.
Notably, in JPPI’s recent annual assessment report, nearly one-third of Jewish parents in the US advised their college-aged children to conceal their Jewish identity while on campus.
Since October 7, incidents of antisemitism have surged globally, with Jewish individuals being targeted at levels unseen since World War II. This rise in antisemitic activity has coincided with increased calls for a boycott of Israel, further exacerbating feelings of insecurity among Jews in the Diaspora.
Connection to Israel
The strength of the connection to Israel has been measured multiple times since October 7 of last year, as part of the “Voice of the Jewish People” panel.
A comparative analysis of surveys conducted over the past year reveals that Jewish conservatives and centrists feel nearly the same degree of closeness to Israel as they did at the outset of the war (76%-85%). However, among liberal groups, there has been a notable erosion in their sense of connection to Israel since the war began.
In the latest survey, 38% of respondents identifying as “very liberal” stated that the war had distanced them from Israel (up from 29% in July).
At the beginning of the conflict, approximately 60% of liberal Jews (both “leaning liberal” and “very liberal”) felt a stronger bond with Israel. Today, these figures have significantly declined (40% among the “very liberal” and 51% among those “leaning liberal”).
Legitimacy of the War
The findings reveal a marked decline in support for Israeli military operations among Jews who identify as “very liberal.” The proportion of this group who view Israel’s actions as excessively aggressive has risen from 51% in January to 69% in August.
Panel participants were asked whether they agree with the assertion that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza. While the proportion of “very liberal” respondents subscribing to this view increased slightly between June and August (from 8% to 12%), the vast majority of respondents across all other groups, except for a negligible fraction, strongly rejected this claim.
Two-State Solution
A commanding majority of Jews who identify as “very liberal” and most who “lean liberal” believe that the war must “end immediately” (72%). In contrast, a significant portion of centrists (44%) and conservatives (69%) disagreed with this statement.
A strong majority of liberals support (either fully or to some extent) a “two-state solution” as the resolution to the conflict (88% of the “very liberal” and 69% of those “leaning liberal”).
Conversely, a solid majority of centrists and conservatives oppose this concept (69% of centrists, 77% of those leaning conservative, and 94% of the “very conservative”).
This division is similarly reflected when considering religious denominations, with Reform and Conservative Jews generally supporting a two-state solution, while Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jews are largely opposed.
Support for Israel and the US Elections
Nearly one-third of “very liberal” Jews (29%) believe that “the US supports Israel too much.”
Among conservative Jews, an overwhelming 96% feel that the US does not provide enough support to Israel.
Among liberal voters, a clear majority (87%) regard Kamala Harris as a “pro-Israel” candidate, while conservative Jews predominantly view Donald Trump as the pro-Israel candidate (91%).
According to the findings, 92% of those who identify as “very liberal” will definitely vote for Harris, and 80% of those “leaning liberal” plan to do the same.
Among conservative Jews, 76% indicated they would definitively vote for Trump.
Criticism of Israel’s Public Diplomacy
Throughout the year, US Jews’ perceptions of Israel’s public diplomacy efforts during the war were closely examined. Compared to the beginning of the conflict, there has been a notable decline in the percentage of respondents who believe that Israel is effectively conveying its narrative about the war.
Since May, the responses across all groups have remained relatively stable. More than half of the survey participants across all groups, except for the “very conservative,” believe that Israel is performing “poorly” or “somewhat poorly” in communicating its side of the conflict. This viewpoint is similarly echoed across religious denominations, with the majority of respondents—except for the ultra-Orthodox—holding the view that Israel’s public diplomacy efforts are lacking.
Optimism Regarding Israel’s Future
A significant proportion of US Jewish panel participants (53%) express high confidence in Israel’s ability to defeat its adversaries.
When viewed through a political lens, most conservatives and centrists are convinced that Israel will prevail in the conflict (ranking 5 out of 5), while fewer than half of liberals share this level of confidence.
As one moves further along the ideological spectrum from liberal to conservative, the level of optimism regarding Israel’s future increases. A similar trend is observed across religious streams, with more conservative individuals expressing greater confidence in Israel’s future. For instance, 59% of “very conservative” Jews and 56% of ultra-Orthodox respondents reported feeling “very optimistic” about Israel’s future, compared to significantly lower figures among liberals and Reform Jews (10%-15%).
JPPI President Professor Yedidia Stern: “As demonstrated by our extensive series of surveys and research, 2024 has seen a profound deterioration in the situation of Diaspora Jews, largely due to the war in Israel, which has significantly affected the sense of security for Jews around the world. The war has also triggered an unprecedented wave of antisemitism in many countries, unseen since the end of World War II. However, this crisis also presents an opportunity to encourage Jewish immigration to Israel.
“Our research shows that while the bond between American Jews—who represent the largest Jewish community in the Diaspora—and Israel remains strong, it cannot be taken for granted. Israeli policymakers must be attentive to the erosion of support and identification with Israel, particularly among liberal Jewish circles. This erosion must be addressed through concrete actions, both in terms of national public diplomacy and Jewish identity.”
The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), established by the Jewish Agency for Israel, engages in research and long-term planning concerning the challenges facing the Jewish people and communities worldwide. JPPI’s work focuses on identifying potential strategies, analyzing their future impact, and presenting policy recommendations with actionable priorities. For further details, background, explanations, or media interviews, please contact us.