American Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes of American Jews

Where would you place yourself on this scale?

Liberal	26%
Lean Liberal	21%
Moderate, Middle of the Road	35%
Lean Conservative	12%
Conservative	8%

In politics today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?

Republican	15%
Independent	32%
Democrat	52%

Although the next presidential election is not until 2016, several people are being mentioned as potential candidates. We would like you to rate your feelings toward some presidential candidates, with 100 meaning a very warm, favorable feeling, 0 meaning a very cold, unfavorable feeling, and 50 meaning not particularly warm or cold. You can use any number from 0 to 100. How would you rate your feelings toward the following... (mean responses, all respond

Hillary Clinton	60
Joe Biden	45
John Kerry	40
Chris Christie	37
Andrew Cuomo	35
Jeb Bush	24
Marco Rubio	23
Rand Paul	20

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that President Obama is handling national security?

Approve strongly	23%
Approve somewhat	44%
Disapprove somewhat	18%
Disapprove strongly	15%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that President Obama is handling the U.S.-Israel relationship?

Approve strongly	15%
Approve somewhat	44%
Disapprove somewhat	19%
Disapprove strongly	20%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that President Obama is handling the conflict in Syria?

Approve strongly	15%
Approve somewhat	44%
Disapprove somewhat	20%
Disapprove strongly	20%

From the standpoint of American national interests, who would you like to see win the current civil war in Syria?

The government	11%
The rebels	24%
Neither side	63%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that President Obama is handling immigration issues?

Approve strongly	17%
Approve somewhat	46%
Disapprove somewhat	18%
Disapprove strongly	17%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that President Obama is handling Iran's nuclear program?

Approve strongly	17%
Approve somewhat	45%
Disapprove somewhat	19%
Disapprove strongly	17%

What is your opinion on same-sex marriage?

It should be legal countrywide	71%
It should be illegal countrywide	11%
States should decide individually	18%

The Arab Spring has brought changes to several countries in the Middle East. Overall, are you optimistic, or pessimistic about these changes?

Very optimistic	3%
Moderately optimistic	37%
Moderately pessimistic	38%
Very pessimistic	18%

With regard to recent political developments in Egypt, are you optimistic or pessimistic?

Very optimistic	1%
Moderately optimistic	29%
Moderately pessimistic	49%
Very pessimistic	19%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is handling the U.S.-Israel relationship?

Approve strongly	19%
Approve somewhat	52%
Disapprove somewhat	23%
Disapprove strongly	4%

How concerned are you at the prospect of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons?

Very concerned	55%
Somewhat concerned	29%
Not very concerned	11%
Not concerned at all	4%

How likely do you think that a combination of diplomacy and sanctions can stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons?

Very likely	10%
Somewhat likely	36%
Somewhat unlikely	27%
Very unlikely	25%

If diplomacy and sanctions fail, would you support or oppose the United States taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?

Support strongly	24%
Support somewhat	28%
Oppose somewhat	28%
Oppose strongly	17%

If diplomacy and sanctions fail, would you support or oppose Israel taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?

Support strongly	35%
Support somewhat	32%
Oppose somewhat	18%
Oppose strongly	12%

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

Increased	12%
Decreased	19%
Stayed the same	68%

As part of a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to dismantle all, some, or none of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank?

All	12%
Some	44%
None	43%

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The goal of the Arabs is not a peaceful two-state agreement with Israel, but rather the destruction of Israel.”

Agree	75%
Disagree	24%

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

Favor	50%
Oppose	47%

Is anti-Semitism currently a problem in the United States?

Yes, it is a very serious problem	14%
Yes, it is somewhat of a problem	67%
No, it is not a problem at all	18%

Is anti-Semitism currently a problem in Europe?

Yes, it is a very serious problem	38%
Yes, it is somewhat of a problem	52%
No, it is not a problem at all	9%

Is anti-Semitism currently a problem in the Arab world?

Yes, it is a very serious problem	88%
Yes, it is somewhat of a problem	10%
No, it is not a problem at all	1%

Do you think of yourself as...?

Orthodox	10%
Conservative	18%
Reconstructionist	2%
Reform	35%
Just Jewish	33%

How important is being Jewish in your life?

Very important	33%
Somewhat important	30%
Somewhat unimportant	22%
Not important at all	14%

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

Agree strongly	34%
Agree somewhat	36%
Disagree somewhat	18%
Disagree strongly	11%

Which of these statements best represents your opinion of the role of religion in the State of Israel?

The current relationship is best	23%
Religion should play more of a role	6%
Religion should play less of a role	25%
There should be a separation between religion and state affairs	43%

If you are married, is your spouse...

Jewish	63%
Not Jewish	37%

Source: American Jewish Committee, "2013 AJC Survey of American Jewish Opinion," AJC. Conducted September 30 - October 15, 2013.