The results of a survey released on Feb. 4 show that 80% of American Jews support Israel.
The Mellman Group survey, conducted on behalf of the Ruderman Family Foundation, also found that 67% of American Jews have some sort of emotional attachment to the Jewish state.
However, 57% said they were critical of the Israeli government’s policies despite being pro-Israel. Thirty-nine percent cited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support for President Donald Trump as their main reason for being critical of the Israeli government. Rising religious right-wing influence on the government (33%), Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians (25%) and the building of Israeli settlements in the West Bank (24%) were the main reasons cited for the criticism.
Ruderman Family Foundation President Jay Ruderman said in a statement, “It appears doomsday talks about an irreversible chasm between Israel and the American Jewish community were mistaken.”
He added, “The time has come to diversify the discourse between the sides, bringing new faces and new ideas to the table. This relationship is more than politics and Jewish religious practices, and the conversation needs to reflect this simple reality.”
