American Jewish Opinion Regarding Anti-Semitism
(2021 - 2022)
Note: We are presenting raw data. When available, we provide some or all of the crosstabs (i.e., breakdowns by various categories such as party ID). To analyze the data, we encourage users to read the entire study and the methodology used. Results and reliability can be affected by such things as sample size, question wording, and question order. Responses may also be influenced by context and timing; for example, if the survey is conducted during a war.
See also
- American Attitudes Toward the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement
- American Public Opinion On Religious Discrimination
- Polls Regarding Anti-Semitism in the United States
- American Jewish Students and Anti-Semitism
How much anti-Semitism do you think there is in the United States? (Ruderman Family Foundation, October 11-November 1, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Some? | 94% |
| A lot | 55% |
| Not Much | 6% |
Have you, your immediate family, or a friend experienced anti-Semitism over the past five years? (Ruderman Family Foundation, October 11-November 1, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 42% |
| Self | 27% |
| Family/Friend | 43% |
Compared with five years ago, do you think there is more anti-Semitism in the U.S. today, less anti-Semitism in the U.S. today, or about the same amount? (Ruderman Family Foundation, October 11-November 1, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| More | 75% |
| Same | 22% |
| Less | 3% |
How concerned are you about anti-Semitism in the U.S. today? (Ruderman Family Foundation, October 11-November 1, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| One of your biggest concerns | 20% |
| A big concern | 46% |
| Somewhat of a concern | 28% |
| Not much at all | 7% |
Over the past five years, do you think anti-Semitism in the United States has… (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021, Pew, Nov. 19, 2019-June 3, 2020)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2020 (Pew) | 2021 | |
| Increased/More | 84% | 82% | 75% | 82% |
| Stayed the same | 12% | 14% | 19% | 14% |
| Decreased | 4% | 3% | 5% | 3% |
How much of a problem, if at all, do you think antisemitism is in the United States today? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| A problem | 88% | 88% | 90% |
| Not a problem | 12% | 11% | 10% |
Compared to a year ago, is the status of Jews in the United States more secure or less secure? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| More | 2% | 4% | 11% |
| Less | 42% | 43% | 31% |
| About the same | 55% | 52% | 57% |
Do you view the statement, “Israel has no right to exist,” as anti-Semitic or not? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Anti-Semitic | 84% | 85% | 81% |
| Not anti-Semitic | 15% | 14% | 19% |
Do you view the statement, “The Holocaust has been exaggerated,” as anti-Semitic or not? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Anti-Semitic | 94% |
| Not anti-Semitic | 6% |
Do you view the statement, “American Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America,” as anti-Semitic or not? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Anti-Semitic | 73% | 76% | 85% |
| Not anti-Semitic | 26% | 22% | 14% |
In your opinion, is anti-Semitism taken more seriously, less seriously, or is it considered to be the same as other forms of hate and bigotry? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| More seriously | 16% |
| Less seriously | 46% |
| Considered to be the same | 37% |
| Don’t know/ refused | 1% |
Over the past 12 months, have you, yourself, been the target of an anti-Semitic remark or post online or through social media? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes, one time | 5% |
| Yes, more than one time | 7% |
| No | 88% |
On which platform were you the target of an anti-Semitic remark or post in the past 12 months? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| | 55% |
| | 11% |
| 10% | |
| 35% | |
| Tiktok | 4% |
| Clubhouse | 5% |
| Other | 11% |
If you were the target of an anti-Semitic remark or post in the past 12 months did you report it? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Reported incident | 42% |
| Did not report incident | 58% |
Did the social media platform remove any of the content you reported? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Content was removed | 36% |
| Content was not removed | 64% |
Did your experience with anti-Semitism online make you feel physically threatened? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 18% |
| No | 82% |
Over the past 12 months, have you, yourself, been the target of an anti-Semitic physical attack? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 3% |
| No | 97% |
Over the past 12 months, have you, yourself, been the target of an anti-Semitic remark in person? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 17% |
| No | 83% |
Over the past 12 months, have you, yourself, been the target of an anti-Semitic remark or post online or through social media? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 12% |
| No | 88% |
Over the past 12 months, if you, yourself, were the target of an anti-Semitic remark online or on social media, did you report this incident or any of these incidents? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes, to the police | 5% |
| Yes, to a Jewish organization | 17% |
| Yes, through social media | 45% |
| No, I did not report it | 46% |
Over the past 12 months, if you, yourself, were the target of an anti-Semitic remark in person, did you report this incident or any of these incidents? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes, to the police | 4% |
| Yes, to a Jewish organization | 19% |
| No, I did not report it | 79% |
In the past 12 months, have you avoided publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying things that might help people identify you as a Jew out of fear of anti-Semitism? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 22% |
| No | 78% |
In the past 12 months, have you avoided certain places, events, or situations out of concern for your safety or comfort as a Jew out of fear of anti-Semitism? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 17% |
| No | 83% |
In the past 12 months, have you avoided posting content online that would identify you as a Jew or reveal your views on Jewish issues out of fear of anti-Semitism? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Yes | 25% |
| No | 74% |
How much, if anything, have you heard about Jews being attacked in the United States and around the world in May 2021 during the conflict between Israel and Hamas? (AJC, September 1-Octoberf 3, 2021))
| 2021 | |
| A lot | 28% |
| Some | 43% |
| Not much | 21% |
| Nothing at all | 7% |
| Don't know/ refused | 1% |
To what extent, if at all, has hearing about these attacks on Jews made you feel less safe as a Jewish person in the United States? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Feel less safe | 72% |
| Do not feel less safe | 27% |
Have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated been targets of antisemitism? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021**)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Antisemitic graffiti | 22% | 17% | 17% |
| Antisemitic attacks | 8% | 8% | 9% |
| Antisemitic threats | 17% | 16% | 12% |
| None of these | 54% | 59% | 40% |
| Not affiliated with any Jewish institutions | 11 | 10% | 24% |
| DK | 2% | 3% | 12% |
**Over the past five years, have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated been targets of antisemitism?
How effective do you think law enforcement is in responding to the security needs of Jews? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021 )
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Effective | 81% | 78% | 66% |
| Not effective | 15% | 19% | 31% |
| Don't know/refused | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Biden is responding to antisemitism in the United States? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Approve | 53% |
| Disapprove | 28% |
| No opinion | 16% |
| Don't know/refused | 3% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is responding to antisemitism in the United States? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Approve | 28% |
| Disapprove | 50% |
| No opinion | 18% |
| Don't know/refused | 3% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Democratic Party is responding to antisemitism in the United States? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Approve | 45% |
| Disapprove | 40% |
| No opinion | 13% |
| Don't know/refused | 4% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republican Party is responding to antisemitism in the United States? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Approve | 20% |
| Disapprove | 65% |
| No opinion | 12% |
| Don't know/refused | 3% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way state and local governments are responding to antisemitism in the United States? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Approve | 42% |
| Disapprove | 36% |
| No opinion | 17% |
| Don't know/refused | 6% |
In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does the extreme political right represent in the United States today? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Very serious threat | 49% | 49% | 45% |
| Moderately serious threat | 29% | 26% | 28% |
| Slight threat | 11% | 14% | 18% |
| No threat at all | 9% | 8% | 7% |
| Don't know/refused | 2% | 3% | 2% |
In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does the extreme political left represent in the United States today? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Very serious threat | 15% | 16% | 19% |
| Moderately serious threat | 21% | 16% | 19% |
| Slight threat | 28% | 29% | 33% |
| No threat at all | 34% | 36% | 27% |
| Don't know/refused | 2% | 3% | 1% |
In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does extremism in the name of Islam represent in the United States today? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Very serious threat | 27% | 27% | 24% |
| Moderately serious threat | 27% | 26% | 28% |
| Slight threat | 31% | 32% | 34% |
| No threat at all | 14% | 13% | 13% |
| Don't know/refused | 1% | 2% | 1% |
In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat do individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups represent in the United States today? (AJC, September 1-October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Very serious threat | 10% |
| Moderately serious threat | 22% |
| Slight threat | 40% |
| No threat at all | 27% |
| Don't know/refused | 2% |
How familiar are you with the BDS movement? (American Jewish Committee, Jews September 9-October 4, general public September 15-20, 2020; September 1 – October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Very familiar | 26% | 25% | 23% |
| Somewhat familiar | 36% | 36% | 36% |
| Not too familiar | 14% | 18% | 15% |
| Not at all familiar | 24% | 21% | 26% |
Do you view the BDS movement as antisemitic? (American Jewish Committee, Jews September 9-October 4, general public September 15-20, 2020; September 1 – October 3, 2021)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Mostly antisemitic | 35% | 37% | 40% |
| Some antisemitic supporters | 47% | 43% | 42% |
| Not antisemitic | 14% | 15% | 15% |
| Don't know/refused | 4% | 5% | 3% |
Over the past five years, do you think antisemitism on college campuses has... (AJC, September 1 – October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| Increased | 50% |
| Stayed the same | 23% |
| Decreased | 3% |
| Not sure | 23% |
How much of a problem, if at all, do you think antisemitism from the far right is for Jewish college students in the United States today? (AJC, September 1 – October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| A Problem | 61% |
| Not a Problem | 20% |
| Not sure | 18% |
How much of a problem, if at all, do you think antisemitism from the far left is for Jewish college students in the United States today? (AJC, September 1 – October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| A Problem | 45% |
| Not a Problem | 37% |
| Not sure | 19% |
How much of a problem, if at all, do you think anti-Israel campaigns, such as the BDS movement, is for Jewish college students in the United States today? (AJC, September 1 – October 3, 2021)
| 2021 | |
| A Problem | 54% |
| Not a Problem | 24% |
| Don't know/refused | 1% |
Over the past five years, have you or has anyone you know experienced antisemitism in a college setting? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Yes, you personally | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| Yes, someone you know | 16% | 17% | 15% |
| Yes, both myself and someone I know | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| No | 78% | 76% | 78% |
| Don’t know/refused | 2% | 2% | 2% |
**Earlier wording: Over the past five years, have you or anyone you know experienced antisemitism on a college campus?
How much have you heard about the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement regarding Israel? (Pew, Nov. 19, 2019-June 3, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| A lot | 24% |
| Some | 31% |
| Not much | 19% |
| Nothing at all | 24% |
| No answer | 1% |
Generally speaking, do you support or oppose the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement? [Asked of the 55% who heard a lot/some about BDS] (Pew, Nov. 19, 2019-June 3, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| Strongly Support | 2% |
| Somewhat support | 8% |
| Somewhat oppose | 9% |
| Strongly oppose | 34% |
| No answer | 2% |
Reason for more anti-Semitism... (Pew, Nov. 19, 2019-June 3, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| Because more people hold anti-Semitic views | 5% |
| Because people with anti-Semitic views feel more free to express them | 35% |
| Because of both | 33% |
As a Jewish person in the United States, do you personally feel ____ compared with five years ago? (Pew, Nov. 19, 2019-June 3, 2020)
| Wear distinctively Jewish items | Do not wear Jewish items | Net Jewish | |
| Less safe today | 62% | 51% | 53% |
| More safe today | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Not much change | 34% | 44% | 42% |
Percentage of U.S. Jewish who say they have experienced each of the following in the past 12 months. (Pew, Nov. 19, 2019-June 3, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| Seen anti-Jewish graffiti or vandalism | 37% |
| Been made to feel unwelcome | 19% |
| Been called offensive names | 15% |
| Harassed online | 8% |
| Physically threatened or attacked | 5% |
Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism (JCPA, 2020)
| Do not agree at all | Agree a little bit | Moderately agree | Agree | Very much agree | DK/Not sure | |
| People who are strongly anti-Israel or anti-Zionist are most likely anti-Semitic as well | 12% | 17% | 22% | 22% | 24% | 4% |
| People who are anti-Semitic are most likely anti-Israel or anti-Zionist as well | 5% | 12% | 11% | 21% | 46% | 4% |
Bi-partisan political support for Israel is just as important as bi-partisan support against anti-Semitism. (JCPA, 2020)
| Do not agree at all | 16% |
| Agree somewhat | 28% |
| Very much agree | 53% |
| Not familiar with issue/DK | 4% |
When it comes to anti-Semitism in the United States, in general, would you say that it predominantly stems from individuals identified with the political Right, with the political Left, equally from both, or would you say it is related to social/cultural/ethnic factors and not political ideology at all? (JCPA, 2020)
| Almost exclusively from the right | 21% |
| Mostly from the right | 31% |
| Almost exclusively from the left | 0% |
| Mostly from the left | 1% |
| About the same for both left and right | 12% |
| Related to social/cultural/ethnic factors and not political ideology at all | 30% |
| Other | 5%* |
Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic physical attack? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes, one time | 2% | 3% |
| No | 98% | 97% |
Over the past five years, have you been the target of an antisemitic physical attack, an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone, or an antisemitic remark online or through social media? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| Yes | 37% |
| Not a target/DK | 63% |
Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic remark online or through social media? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes, one time | 6% | 6% |
| Yes, more than one time | 15% | 16% |
| No | 80% | 77% |
Over the past five years, have you been the target of an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes, one time | 10% | 7% |
| Yes, more than one time | 13% | 18% |
| Not a target/DK | 77% | 75% |
Over the past five years, if you, yourself, were the target of an antisemitic attack or remark, did you report this incident or any of these incidents? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes, to the police | 3% | 4% |
| Yes, to a Jewish organization | 6% | 5% |
| Yes, through social media | 17% | 19% |
| No, I did not report it | 75% | 76% |
On which social media platform(s) were you the target of an antisemitic attack or remark? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| | 62% |
| | 33% |
| Youtube | 10% |
| 12% | |
| Snapchat | 5% |
| TikTok | 2% |
| Some other platform | 10% |
| Don't know/refused | 4% |
Did the social media or online service you reported the incident to take any steps to respond to your report? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| Yes | 53% |
| No | 46% |
Over the past five years, have you or anyone you know experienced antisemitism on a college campus? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes, you personally | 1% | 1% |
| Yes, someone you know | 16% | 17% |
| Yes, both myself and someone I know | 3% | 4% |
| No | 78% | 76% |
| Don’t know/refused | 2% | 2% |
Compared to a year ago, is the climate on college campuses toward pro-Israel students less hostile, more hostile, or about the same as a year ago? (AJC, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | |
| More hostile than a year ago | 36% |
| Less hostile than a year ago | 2% |
| About the same as a year ago | 41% |
| DK | 20% |
Do you ever avoid certain places, events, or situations out of concern for your safety or comfort as a Jew? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes, always | 2% | 4% |
| Yes, frequently | 4% | 3% |
| Yes, sometimes | 19% | 24% |
| No, never | 74% | 68% |
Have you avoided visiting Jewish institutions or participating in Jewish events because you would not feel safe there? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes | 5% | 10% |
| No | 95% | 90% |
Over the past two years, have you avoided publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying things that might help people identify you as a Jew? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019*)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Yes | 31% | 24% |
| No | 68% | 76% |
*2019 - Did not ask over past two years.
Have you avoided posting content online that would identify you as a Jew or reveal your views on Jewish issues? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| Yes | 24% |
| No | 75% |
Have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated been targets of antisemitism? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Antisemitic graffiti | 22% | 17% |
| Antisemitic attacks | 8% | 8% |
| Antisemitic threats | 17% | 16% |
| None of these | 54% | 59% |
| Not affiliated with any Jewish institutions | 11 | 10% |
| DK | 2% | 3% |
In response to the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, have any of the Jewish institutions you are affiliated with increased security measures or is security about the same? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| Increased | 56% |
| About the same | 32% |
| Not affiliated | 5% |
| DK / Refused | 6% |
Have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated hired security guards? (AJC, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | |
| Yes | 57% |
| No | 32% |
| I don't visit or participate | 1% |
| Not affiliated | 6% |
| DK / Refused | 4% |
Have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated had police posted on site or outside? (AJC, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | |
| Yes | 52% |
| No | 38% |
| I don't visit or participate | 1% |
| Not affiliated | 7% |
| DK / Refused | 2% |
Have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated trained or informed members on how to respond to an attack? (AJC, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | |
| Yes | 39% |
| No | 45% |
| I don't visit or participate | 1% |
| Not affiliated | 7% |
| DK / Refused | 8% |
To what extent, if at all, do you think the Democratic Party holds antisemitic views? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| A lot/Some | 37% |
| Not much/at all | 61% |
| Don't know/refused | 2% |
To what extent, if at all, do you think the Republican Party holds antisemitic views? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020)
| 2020 | |
| A lot/Some | 69% |
| Not much/at all | 28% |
| Don't know/refused | 3% |
Do you view the statement, “The U.S. government only supports Israel because of Jewish money,” as anti-Semitic or not? (AJC, Jews September 9-October 4, 2020, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | 2020 | |
| Anti-Semitic | 80% | 84% |
| Not anti-Semitic | 20% | 15% |
Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling the threat of antisemitism in the United States? (AJC, September 11 - October 6, 2019)
| 2019 | |
| Approve | 24% |
| Disapprove | 73% |
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