Attitudes of American Jews: AJC Poll 2018
How important is being Jewish in your life?
Very Important |
40% |
Somewhat Important |
37% |
Not That Important |
17% |
Not Important At All |
6% |
Don't Know/No Response |
1% |
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Caring about Israel is a very important part of my being a Jew.”
Strongly Agree |
41% |
Somewhat Agree |
29% |
Somewhat Disagree |
19% |
Strongly Disagree |
9% |
Don't Know/No Response |
2% |
Do you consider being Jewish mostly a matter of religion, or more a matter of ethnicity and culture?
Religion |
24% |
Ethnicity and Culture |
56% |
Both Equally |
17% |
Don't Know/No Response |
2% |
Looking ahead five years, do you think that the ties between American and Israeli Jews will be...?
Stronger Than Today |
20% |
Weaker Than Today |
15% |
About The Same |
60% |
Don't Know/No Response |
5% |
Using the metaphor of a family, do you consider Israeli Jews as your...?
Siblings |
12% |
First Cousins |
15% |
Extended Family |
39% |
Not Part of my Family |
31% |
Don't Know/No Response |
2% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling US-Israel Relations?
Approve Strongly |
21% |
Approve Somewhat |
13% |
Disapprove Somewhat |
16% |
Disapprove Strongly |
41% |
Don't Know/No Response |
8% |
Do you think it appropriate for American Jews to attempt to influence Israeli policy on such issues as national security and peace negotiations with the Palestinians?
Yes, it is Appropriate |
53% |
No, it is Not Appropriate |
43% |
Don't Know/No Response |
4% |
In the current situation, do you favor or oppose a two-state solution through the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state on the West Bank?
Favor Strongly |
31% |
Favor Somewhat |
28% |
Oppose Somewhat |
12% |
Oppose Strongly |
18% |
Don't Know/No Response |
10% |
As part of a peace agreement with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to dismantle all, some, or none of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank?
All |
15% |
Some |
44% |
None |
35% |
Don't Know/No Response |
6% |
Looking ahead five years, do you think that the chances for peaceful coexistence between Israel and a Palestinian state will...?
Improve |
18% |
Decline |
22% |
Stay The Same |
56% |
Don't Know/No Response |
3% |
In your opinion, can the State of Israel be both a Jewish state and a democracy, and if not, which should it be?
It Can be Both |
68% |
It Should Just be a Jewish State |
7% |
It Should Just be a Democracy |
20% |
Don't Know/No Response |
4% |
Do you think the fact that Orthodox Judaism is the only denomination recognized by Israel as an official form of Judaism...?
Strengthens Ties Between U.S. and Israeli Jews |
7% |
Weakens Ties Between U.S. and Israeli Jews |
53% |
Has no Effect |
35% |
Don't Know/No Response |
4% |
Currently, Jewish weddings, divorces, and conversions to Judaism in Israel are recognized only if Orthodox rabbis officiate. Should non-Orthodox rabbis also be permitted to officiate?
Yes |
80% |
No |
17% |
Don't Know/No Response |
3% |
Currently, Israeli law does not allow for civil [secular] marriage and divorce. Should the law be changed, and civil marriage and divorce allowed?
Yes |
81% |
No |
13% |
Don't Know/No Response |
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 adjacent to the Western Wall administered on an equal basis with the services at the Wall itself?
Support |
73% |
Oppose |
21% |
Don't Know/No Response |
6% |
Do you support or oppose the recent U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to relocate the U.S. embassy there?
Support |
46% |
Oppose |
47% |
Don't Know/No Response |
6% |
Do you identify as...?
Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) |
6% |
Modern Orthodox |
5% |
Conservative |
14% |
Reform |
29% |
Reconstructionist |
3% |
Secular |
16% |
Other |
25% |
Do you have family in Israel with whom you feel close?
Yes |
25% |
No |
74% |
Do you think that a thriving Diaspora is vital for the long-term future of the Jewish people?
Yes |
69% |
No |
17% |
Don't Know/No Response |
14% |
Do you think that a thriving State of Israel is vital for the long-term future of the Jewish people?
|
Where would you place yourself on this scale?
|
In U.S. politics today, do you consider yourself a...?
|
Who did you vote for for President in 2016?
|
Is your opinion of the job President Trump is doing favorable or unfavorable?
|
From the standpoint of national security, compared to a year ago, is the United States more secure or less secure?
|
Compared to a year ago, is the status of Jews in the United States more secure or less secure?
|
Compared to a year ago, is the climate on college campuses less hostile or more hostile toward pro-Israel students?
|
In your opinion, do Jews in Europe have a future, or should they leave now?
|
Does the involvement of the United States in global affairs make our country more safe or less safe?
|
In your opinion, which foreign nation poses the single greatest danger to the United States?
China |
10% |
Iran |
18% |
North Korea |
17% |
Russia |
44% |
Another Country |
7% |
Don't Know/No Response |
4% |
Source: American Jewish Committee, 2018 AJC Survey of American Jewish Opinion,
AJC. Conducted April 18 - May 10, 2018.