Israeli Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes Toward Diaspora Jewry

The newly adopted Nation-State Law says that Israel will work to maintain the bond between the country and Diaspora Jewry and will also strive to preserve the Jewish cultural, historical, and religious heritage in the Diaspora. Some claim that this wording expresses Israel’s condescension toward Diaspora Jewry, as if they need its help on these matters. In your opinion, is this interpretation of the law right or not right?
              (Peace Index, July 2018)

	Israeli Jews
I'm sure it's right	12.6%
I think it's right	20.2%
I think it's not right	27.9%
I know it's not right	22.8%
Don't know/No answer	16.5%

American Jewish support of Israel is essential for the security of the State of Israel.
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

Strongly Agree	41%
Agree	40%
Don't Know	3%
Disagree	13%
Strongly Disagree	4%

A strong and thriving American Jewry is important for the future of Israel.
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

Strongly Agree	32%
Agree	42%
Don't Know	3%
Disagree	18%
Strongly Disagree	5%

To what extent do you feel that Jews in Israel and Jews in the United States share a common destiny?
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	30%
To Some Extent	45%
Don't Know	2%
Not Much	20%
Hardly at All	4%

To what extent does it seem to you that Jews in Israel and American Jews should be responsible for one another's welfare?
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	59%
To Some Extent	34%
Don't Know	2%
Not Much	4%
Hardly at All	1%

All in all, do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose Taglit, that brings young Jews to Israel?
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

Strongly Favor	60%
Favor	30%
No Opinion	4%
Oppose	5%
Strongly Oppose	2%

All in all, do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose government funding of young Israeli Jews to experience Jewish life in America?
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

Strongly Favor	24%
Favor	39%
No Opinion	8%
Oppose	20%
Strongly Oppose	9%

A Jew can lead a much more meaningful Jewish life in Israel than in the United States.
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

Strongly Agree	36%
Agree	29%
Don't Know	3%
Disagree	22%
Strongly Disagree	10%

To what extent should the Israeli government take into account the views of Jewish leaders in the U.S. with respect to status of the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel?​​​​​​​
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	13%
To Some Extent	26%
Don't Know	6%
Not Much	23%
Hardly at All	32%

To what extent should the Israeli government take into account the views of Jewish leaders in the U.S. with respect to regulation of how people pray at the Kotel?
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	15%
To Some Extent	25%
Don't Know	4%
Not Much	22%
Hardly at All	35%

To what extent should the Israeli government take into account the views of Jewish leaders in the U.S. with respect to building settlements in the Territories?​​​​​​​
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	8%
To Some Extent	21%
Don't Know	4%
Not Much	27%
Hardly at All	40%

To what extent should the Israeli government take into account the views of Jewish leaders in the U.S. with respect to regulation of conversion in Israel?​​​​​​​
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	15%
To Some Extent	27%
Don't Know	4%
Not Much	23%
Hardly at All	31%

To what extent should the Israeli government take into account the views of Jewish leaders in the U.S. with respect to peace negotiations with the Palestinians?​​​​​​​
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	7%
To Some Extent	25%
Don't Know	4%
Not Much	27%
Hardly at All	37%

To what extent should the Israeli government take into account the views of Jewish leaders in the U.S. with respect to treatment of Israeli Arabs?​​​​​​​
              (UJA-Federation Survey of Israeli Jews, January 2018)

To a Great Extent	6%
To Some Extent	21%
Don't Know	4%
Not Much	28%
Hardly at All	41%

To what extent should the Israeli government take into account the implications of it's decisions on Disapora Jewry?
              (Mitvim Institute Israel Foreign Policy Index, November 2017)

	Total	Jews	Arabs
To a Large Extent	16%	18%	6%
To a Moderate Extent	35%	36%	18%
To a Small Extent	34%	36%	33%
Not at All	5%	3%	8%
No Answer/Don't Know	11%	7%	35%

Decisions by the Israeli government should consider the...
              (Jewish Media Summit/Israel Democracy Institute, June 2014)

Impact on Diaspora Jewry (Yes)	71%
Impact on Diaspora Jewry (No)	26%
Views of Diaspora Jewry (Yes)	51%
Views of Diaspora Jewry (No)	47%

Should the opinions of Diaspora Jews be taken into account regarding the Peace Process in Israel?
              (Jerusalem Post/Telesker, June 2013)

Should Not be Taken into Account	31.9%
Considered a Small Extent	33.6%
Considered to a Large Extent	21.6%
Considered to a Very Great Extent	9.4%

Should the State of Israel assist Jewish communities in economic, political, or anti-Semitic distress?
              (Jewish Agency, March 20, 2012)

Yes, I am Certain	61%
I Believe So	30%

Do you feel a connection to the Jews in the Diaspora?
              (New Wave for Yisrael Hayom, April 25, 2012)

Yes	82.7%
No	15.9%
Don't know	1.4%

Should the State of Israel assist Jewish communities in economic, political, or anti-Semitic distress?
              (Jewish Agency, March 20, 2012)

Yes, I am Certain	61%
I Believe So	30%

Do you believe political support (of Israel) by world Jewry is important?
              (Jewish Agency, March 20, 2012)

Very Important	67%
Somewhat Important	28%

Is economic support (of Israel) by world Jewry important?
             (Jewish Agency, March 20, 2012)

Very Important	53%
Somewhat Important	33%

Are Jews in Israel and world Jewry part of one people?
             (Jewish Agency, March 20, 2012)

Yes, I am Certain	30%
I Believe So	51%

How do you characterize the relationship between Israeli Jews and Diaspora Jewry?
             (Jewish Agency, March 20, 2012)

Becoming Stronger	12%
Weakening	23%
Stable	56%

How Important is it that Jews from abroad visit Israel and young Israeli Jew visit Jewish communities abroad?
             (Jewish Agency, March 20, 2012)

Very Important that Young Diaspora Jews Visit Israel	78%
Somewhat Important that Young Diaspora Jews Visit Israel	18%
Very Important that Young Israelis Visit Jewish Communities Abroad	74%

Should the opinions of Diaspora Jewry be considered by the Israeli government when deciding on any border changes?
           (Keevoon Research, Strategy & Communications, June 2008)

Should be Considered	20.5%
Should Not be Considered	74.8%
No Answer	4.8%

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most important), how important is Israel's relationship with Diaspora Jewry?
           (Keevoon Research, Strategy & Communications, June 2007)

1	1%
2	2%
3	1%
4	0%
5	7%
6	2%
7	7%
8	19%
9	8%
10	55%
Average Score	8.6

Jews in the Diaspora have often publicly criticized the Government of Israel. Which statement best represents your view?
           (Keevoon Research, Strategy & Communications, June 2007)

Jews in the Diaspora have no right to publicly criticize the Government of Israel	54%
Jews who live in the Diaspora can publically criticize the Government of Israel because every Jew is a partner in Israel	40%
No Answer	6%