Bookstore Glossary Library Links News Publications Timeline Virtual Israel Experience
Anti-Semitism Biography History Holocaust Israel Israel Education Myths & Facts Politics Religion Travel US & Israel Vital Stats Women
donate subscribe Contact About Home

Attitudes of American Jews: AJC Poll 2017

Where would you place yourself on this scale?

Liberal

39%

Lean Liberal

15%

Moderate, Middle of the Road

22%

Lean Conservative

7%

Conservative

15%

In politics today, do you consider yourself...?

Republican

15%

Democrat

57%

Independent

20%

Other

8%

In last November's Presidential election, whom did you vote for?

Hillary Clinton

64%

Donald Trump

18%

Another Candidate

8%

Did not Vote

8%

Is your opinion of the job President Trump is doing favorable or unfavorable?

Favorable

21%

Unfavorable

77%

Not Sure

1%

Is your opinion of the job Vice President Pence is doing favorable or unfavorable?

Favorable

30%

Unfavorable

62%

Not Sure

7%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling National Security?

Approve Strongly

13%

Approve Somewhat

14%

Disapprove Somewhat

62%

Disapprove Strongly

11%

Not Sure

1%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling Terrorism?

Approve Strongly

18%

Approve Somewhat

12%

Disapprove Somewhat

54%

Disapprove Strongly

15%

Not Sure

1%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling U.S.-Russia relations?

Approve Strongly

10%

Approve Somewhat

13%

Disapprove Somewhat

62%

Disapprove Strongly

13%

Not Sure

2%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling NATO and the Transatlantic Alliance?

Approve Strongly

13%

Approve Somewhat

12%

Disapprove Somewhat

56%

Disapprove Strongly

15%

Not Sure

3%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling Race Relations?

Approve Strongly

11%

Approve Somewhat

9%

Disapprove Somewhat

69%

Disapprove Strongly

8%

Not Sure

1%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling Immigration?

Approve Strongly

17%

Approve Somewhat

6%

Disapprove Somewhat

65%

Disapprove Strongly

11%

Not Sure

1%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling the Iran Nuclear Issue?

Approve Strongly

11%

Approve Somewhat

15%

Disapprove Somewhat

42%

Disapprove Strongly

26%

Not Sure

6%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling U.S.-Israel Relations?

Approve Strongly

18%

Approve Somewhat

22%

Disapprove Somewhat

31%

Disapprove Strongly

23%

Not Sure

5%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Prime Minister Netanyahu is handling U.S.-Israel Relations?

Approve Strongly

22%

Approve Somewhat

23%

Disapprove Somewhat

23%

Disapprove Strongly

24%

Not Sure

8%

Regarding a possible move of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which of the following courses of action do you most support?

Move it to Jerusalem Immediately

18%

Move it to Jerusalem at a Later Date in Coordination With Peace Talks

36%

Do not move it

44%

Not sure

4%

In the current situation, do you favor or oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state?

Favor

55%

Oppose

40%

Not Sure

4%

Compared to one year ago, do you think prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace have increased, decreased, or stayed the same?

Increased

5%

Decreased

29%

Stayed the Same

65%

Not Sure

1%

What role do you think the U.S. should play in solving international problems?

The Leading Role

24%

A Main Role, but not the Leading one

56%

A Minor Role

13%

No Role at all

5%


Not Sure
 
1%

In your opinion, which foreign nation poses the single greatest danger to the United States?

China

10%

Iran

16%

North Korea

57%

Russia

22%


Another Country
 
5%

Not Sure
 
1%

In your opinion, is anti-Semitism currently a problem in the United States?

Yes, A Serious Problem

41%

Yes, Somewhat Of A Problem

43%

No, Not Much Of A Problem

12%

No, Not A Problem At All

4%

Not Sure

-

In your opinion, is anti-Semitism currently a problem on the American college campus?

Yes, A Serious Problem

29%

Yes, Somewhat Of A Problem

40%

No, Not Much Of A Problem

16%

No, Not A Problem At All

6%

Not Sure

8%

In your opinion, is anti-Semitism currently a problem in Europe?

Yes, A Serious Problem

54%

Yes, Somewhat Of A Problem

32%

No, Not Much Of A Problem

6%

No, Not A Problem At All

2%

Not Sure

6%

In your opinion, is anti-Semitism currently a problem in the Arab World?

Yes, A Serious Problem

78%

Yes, Somewhat Of A Problem

17%

No, Not Much Of A Problem

1%

No, Not A Problem At All

1%

Not Sure

3%

Do you think of yourself as...

Orthodox

9%

Conservative

16%

Reconstructionist

2%

Reform

31%


Just Jewish
 
39%

What is your current marital status?

Unmarried

47%

Married to a born Jew

32%

Married to a Convert to Judaism

3%


Married to a Non-Jew
 
17%

How important is being Jewish in your life?

Very Important

47%

Somewhat Important

33%

Not That Important

12%

Not Important at all

7%

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: "Caring about Israel is a very important part of my being a Jew."

Agree Strongly

48%

Agree Somewhat

24%

Disagree Somewhat

18%

Disagree Strongly

9%

Looking ahead five years, do you think that the ties between American Jews and Israel will be…

Stronger Than Today

25%

Weaker Than Today

14%

About the Same as Today

59%

Not Sure

2%

Have you ever been to Israel?

Yes, Once

24%

No

50%

Yes, More Than Once

26%

Do you think the fact that Orthodox Judaism is the only denomination recognized by Israel as an official form of Judaism...

Strengthens Israel's Ties With American Jews

7%

Weakens Israel's Ties With American Jews

56%

Has no Effect on Israel's Ties With American Jews

36%

Not Sure

1%

Currently, Jewish weddings, divorces, and conversions in Israel are legally recognized only if carried out under the authority of the Chief Rabbinate, which is Orthodox. Are you satisfied with this system or should legal recognition also be extended to non-Orthodox weddings, divorces and conversions?

Yes, I Am Satisfied With The System

20%

No, Legal Recognition Should Be Extended To Non-Orthodox Weddings, Divorces, And Conversions

76%

Not Sure

3%

There is a current proposal to require that conversion to Judaism in Israel shall be recognized only if carried out under the authority of the Chief Rabbinate. Do you approve or disapprove of the idea?

Approve

26%

Disapprove

68%

Not Sure

5%

Currently, prayer services at the Western Wall in Jerusalem —a site holy to Jews—are conducted according to Orthodox tradition, with men and women separated by a barrier. Do you support or oppose a mixed-gender prayer area at Robinson's Arch, adjacent to the Western Wall?

Support

73%

Oppose

24%

Not Sure

3%

 

Source: American Jewish Committee, 2017 AJC Survey of American Jewish Opinion, AJC. Conducted August 10-28, 2017.