AJC 2019 Survey of Israeli Jewish Opinion
June 2, 2019
AJC’s 2019 Survey of Israeli Jewish Opinion, conducted by Geocartography, is based on telephone interviews carried out from April 10 to 17 with a national sample of 1,000 Jews over age 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1%.
1. How important is being Jewish in your life?
Most important 51%
Very important 29%
Somewhat important 11%
Not too important 5%
Not at all important 3%
No opinion 1%
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Living in Israel is a 2. very important part of my being a Jew.”
Agree strongly 50%
Agree somewhat 32%
Disagree somewhat 11%
Disagree strongly 5%
No opinion 2%
Do you consider being Jewish mostly a matter of religion, or more a matter 3. of ethnicity and culture?
Mostly a matter of religion 24%
Mostly a matter of ethnicity or 51% culture
Both equally 23%
No opinion 3%
Looking ahead five years, do you think that the ties between American and 4. Israeli Jews will be...
Stronger than today 30%
Weaker than today 23%
About the same as today 38%
5. Using the metaphor of a family, do you consider American Jews your...
Siblings 31%
First Cousins 11%
Extended family 36%
Not part of my family 23%
6. Have you ever visited the United States?
No 52%
Yes, once 15%
Yes, more than once, but less than five 21% times
Yes, at least five 12% times
7. Do you have family in the United States to whom you feel close?
Yes 44%
No 56%
Do you think that a thriving Diaspora is vital for the long-term future of the 8. Jewish people?
Yes 74%
No 20%
No opinion 6%
Do you think that a thriving State of Israel is vital for the long-term future of 9. the Jewish people?
Yes 91%
No 5%
No opinion 4%
Anti-Semitic incidents have become more frequent in Europe. Do you think 10. that Jews have a future as Jews in Europe, or should they leave now?
Jews have a future as 44% Jews in Europe
Jews should 46% leave now
No opinion 10%
Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Trump is handling U.S.- 11. Israel relations?
Approve strongly 48%
Approve somewhat 31%
Disapprove somewhat 6%
Disapprove strongly 4%
No opinion 3%
Under its current administration, the U.S. has pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) signed in 2015 that loosened economic restrictions on Iran in 12. return for limitations on the Iranian nuclear program. Do you favor or oppose the U.S. pullout from the Iranian nuclear agreement (JCPOA)?
Approve strongly 49%
Approve somewhat 20%
Disapprove somewhat 10%
Disapprove strongly 8%
No opinion 13%
Russia is emerging as a key player in Middle East geopolitics. Do you believe 13. that Russia is...
A friend of Israel 24%
An enemy of Israel 23%
Neither a friend nor an enemy of 43%
Israel
No opinion 10%
Relations between Israel and the Muslim/Arab world have become warmer in recent years. Within a decade from now, do you believe that diplomatic 14. relations will be established between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with an exchange of embassies?
Yes 62%
No 25%
No opinion 14%
Do you think it appropriate for American Jews to attempt to influence 15. Israeli policy on such issues as national security and peace negotiations with the Palestinians?
Appropriate 31%
Not appropriate 63%
No opinion 6%
In the current situation, do you favor or oppose a two-state solution 16. through the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state on the West Bank?
Favor strongly 17%
Favor somewhat 22%
Oppose somewhat 18%
Oppose strongly 33%
No opinion 9%
As part of a peace agreement with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing 17. to dismantle all, some, or none of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank?
Israel should be willing to dismantle 6% all the settlements
Israel should be willing to dismantle 37% some of the settlements
Israel should not be willing to dismantle 50% any of the settlements
No opinion 7%
Looking ahead five years, do you think that the chances for peaceful 18. coexistence between Israel and a Palestinian state will improve, decline, or stay the same?
Improve 14% Decline 43%
Stay the Same 37% No Opinion 7% 19. In the April 2019 Knesset elections did you vote for...
Blue and White ,21%
Gesher 1%
Kulanu 3%
Labor 6%
Likud 22%
Meretz 3%
New Right 4%
Jewish Home 6%
Ra'am-Balad 0% [less than 1%]
Shas 3%
Yisrael Beiteinu 3%
Zehut 3%
Other 0% [less than 1%]
Didn't Vote 4%
No Opinion 14%
20. How do you define yourself religiously?
Haredi [Ultra-Orthodox] 10%
Religious Zionist 12%
Religious-traditional 14%
Not that religious-traditional 18%
Secular 41%
Other 4%
No Opinion 1%
Do you support or oppose the recent American recognition of the Golan 21. Heights as Israeli territory?
Support 88%
Oppose 5%
Don't know 7%