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????????
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Where would you place yourself on this scale????????
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In U.S. politics today, do you consider yourself a...?
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Who did you vote for for President in 2016?
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Is your opinion of the job President Trump is doing favorable or unfavorable????????
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From the standpoint of national security, compared to a year ago, is the United States more secure or less secure????????
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Compared to a year ago, is the status of Jews in the United States more secure or less secure????????
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Compared to a year ago, is the climate on college campuses less hostile or more hostile toward pro-Israel students????????
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In your opinion, do Jews in Europe have a future, or should they leave now????????
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Does the involvement of the United States in global affairs make our country more safe or less safe????????
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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.
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