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Polls reveal divisions and concerns among US Jewish community over Israel, Gaza, and political support

Published July 10, 2026 at 10:37 AM UTC

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Recent polls have highlighted significant divisions and concerns within the U.S. Jewish community regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, experiences of antisemitism, and political support. A new AP-NORC poll reveals that many Jewish adults feel increasingly unsafe, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. Approximately 60% report feeling "less safe" than before, and nearly 3 in 10 have experienced antisemitic harassment or violence in the past year, including physical assault, online harassment, and property damage. Those who are religiously Jewish or emotionally connected to Israel feel especially vulnerable. About four in ten Jewish adults are now less likely to wear visible symbols of Jewish identity, amidst growing public criticisms of U.S.-Israel relations and an uptick in antisemitic incidents. There's significant divide within the Jewish community regarding whether anti-Israel protests constitute antisemitism. Roughly half believe they do not, while about 40% disagree. However, most Jewish adults agree that actions such as vandalizing synagogues, Holocaust denial, or attributing Israeli policies to all Jews are definitively antisemitic. The study emphasizes the disconnect between Jewish perspectives and broader American public opinion, with many non-Jewish adults uncertain about what qualifies as antisemitism. The survey of over 3,000 U.S. adults, including 1,022 Jewish adults, was conducted June 11–17, 2026. In another AP-NORC poll, sharp divisions among U.S. Jews over Israel's military actions in Gaza were revealed, with religious and secular Jews holding distinctly different views. While the majority of religiously affiliated Jews maintain strong emotional connections to Israel and are more likely to justify its military offensives, many secular Jews—those identifying more through culture or ethnicity than religion—express critical views, including accusations of genocide, and feel little emotional attachment to Israel. The poll, conducted in mid-June 2026 and involving 1,022 Jewish adults, found that only about half of religious Jews believe Israel's actions in Gaza are justified, while support drops among secular Jews, with only 2 in 10 agreeing. Generational and political differences also play a role, with older and religious Jews more likely to identify as Zionists and view Israel as central to their identity. Disagreements about Israel have caused interpersonal conflicts: 55% of Jewish adults feel offended by others’ Israel-related comments, and 3 in 10 have severed communication over related disputes. Despite stark divides, many Jews, regardless of level of observance, view Holocaust remembrance as a key part of Jewish identity, demonstrating some areas of communal consensus amid political and ideological fragmentation. Additionally, a new AP-NORC poll shows a growing partisan divide in U.S. public opinion on Israel, particularly since the 2023 Gaza conflict. Approximately one-third of U.S. adults, including about half of Democrats and 30% of Jewish adults, believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians. Support for Israel has notably declined among Democrats, with a majority now saying the U.S. is too supportive of Israel and not supportive enough of Palestinians. Among Republicans, support largely remains, though younger members show more skepticism, with 20% of those under 45 believing Israel has committed genocide. The poll reveals widespread uncertainty as nearly half of respondents say they don't know enough to judge whether Israel’s actions constitute genocide. While many Americans viewed Israel's initial military response to the October 2023 Hamas attack as justified, most now believe its continued actions are not. Prime Minister Netanyahu is broadly unpopular, even among Jewish Americans, whereas New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a vocal critic of Israel, draws mixed but generally more favorable views among Democrats. The Israel-Palestine conflict is not a key issue for most American voters ahead of the 2026 midterms, with economic concerns dominating. These findings underscore the complex and evolving nature of the U.S. Jewish community's perspectives on Israel, Gaza, and political support, highlighting the need for nuanced understanding and dialogue.