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American Public Opinion Polls: Attitudes of American Jews

(September 2011)

Click to Jump:

On the Obama Administration
On the Arab-Israeli Conflict
On International Issues and War in Iraq
Other Background Factors

The Obama Administration

Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Barack Obama has handled his job as President?

Approve
45%
Disapprove
48%
Not sure
7%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama has handled each of the following?

 
Approve
Disapprove
Not sure
The Economy
37%
60%
4%
National Security
68%
28%
4%
Energy Policy
50%
43%
7%
Immigration
43%
49%
8%
Foreign Policy
47%
48%
0.5%

How would you characterize relations between Israel and the United States today?

Very positive
7%
Somewhat positive
56%
Somewhat negative
29%
Very negative
7%
Not sure
1%

Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama Administration's handling of U.S.-Israel relations?

Approve
40%
Disapprove
53%
Not sure
7%

If the 2012 election for president were being held today, whom would you vote for from among the following choices?

a. Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate and Mitt Romney is the Republican candidate - Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, or neither?

Obama
50%
Romney
32%
Neither
16%
Don't know/not sure
2%

b. Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate and Rick Perry is the Republican candidate - Barack Obama, Rick Perry, or neither?

Obama
55%
Perry
25%
Neither
18%
Don't know/not sure
2%

c. Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate and Michele Bachmann is the Republican candidate? Obama, Bachmann, or neither?

Obama
59%
Bachmann
19%
Neither
21%
Don't know/not sure
1%

d. Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate and Chris Christie is the Republican candidate? Barack Obama, Chris Christie, or neither?

Obama
53%
Christie
26%
Neither
19%
Don't know/not sure
3%

 

Arab-Israel Conflict

As compared with one year ago, are you more optimistic about the chance for a lasting peace between Israel and the Arabs, less optimistic, or do you think the chance for a lasting peace is about the same as it was one year ago?

More optimistic
3%
Less optimistic
35%
Same as one year ago
62%
Not sure
0.4%

In the current situation, do you favor or oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state?

Favor
38%
Oppose
55%
Not sure
8%

Do you approve or disapprove of Palestinian efforts to unilaterally seek statehood without reaching an agreement with Israel?

Approve
9%
Disapprove
88%
Not sure
3%

In the framework of a permanent peace with the Palestinians, should Israel:
Compromise on the status of Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli jurisdiction?

Yes
37%
No
59%
Not sure
4%

As part of a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, should Israel:
Dismantle all, some, or none of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank?

All
8%
Some
51%
None
39%
Not sure
2%

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
"The goal of the Arabs is not the return of occupied territories but rather the destruction of Israel."

Agree
76%
Disagree
19%
Not sure
5%

If the Palestinian Authority and Hamas form a unity government, should the U.S. Congress withdraw aid to the Palestinians or not?

Withdraw
73%
Not withdraw
21%
Not sure
6%

Should the Palestinians be required or not be required to recognize Israel as a Jewish state in a final peace agreement?

Required
96%
Not required
3%
Not sure
1%

 

International Issues

Do you think that anti-Semitism is currently a very serious problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem at all in the following areas?

 
Very Serious Problem
Somewhat of a Problem
Not a Problem at all
Not sure
Europe
42%
50%
5%
3%
Arab/Muslim World
87%
11%
1%
0.4%
United States
14%
70%
16%
0.3%
Internet
25%
42%
19%
14%

Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama Administration's handling of the Iran nuclear issue?

Approve
43%
Disapprove
45%
Not sure
11%

How much of a chance do you think there is that a combination of diplomacy and sanctions can stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons?

Good chance
4%
Some chance
25%
Little chance
43%
No chance
28%
Not sure
0.5%

If diplomacy and sanctions fail, would you support or oppose the United States taking military action
against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?

Support
56%
Oppose
38%
Not sure
6%

If diplomacy and sanctions fail, would you support or oppose Israel taking military action
against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?

Support
68%
Oppose
26%
Not sure
6%

Do you think the United States is winning or losing the war in Iraq?

Winning
38%
Losing
46%
Not sure
16%

Do you think the United States is winning or losing the war in Afghanistan?

Winning
26%
Losing
61%
Not sure
13%

With regard to the following countries, are you optimistic or pessimistic about the current direction they are taking?

 
Optimistic
Pessimistic
Not sure
Saudi Arabia
30%
58%
12%
Syria
18%
75%
8%
Egypt
42%
52%
6%
Libya
39%
54%
7%
Turkey
35%
51%
15%
Jordan
49%
36%
15%

 

Background Factors

In politics as of today, are you a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?

Republican
16%
Democrat
45%
Independent
38%
Not sure
2%

I am going to read you a list of political views that people might hold.
Where would you place yourself on this scale?

Extremely liberal
5%
Liberal
22%
Slightly liberal
14%
Moderate, middle of the road
32%
Slightly conservative
10%
Conservative
12%
Extremely conservative
3%
Not sure
1%

Do you think of yourself as...

Orthodox
9%
Conservative
22%
Reform
29%
Reconstructionist
1%
Just Jewish
37%
Not sure
1%

How important would you say being Jewish is in your own life?

Very important
50%
Fairly important
36%
Not very important
14%
Not sure
0.1%

How close do you feel to Israel?

Very close
31%
Fairly close
37%
Fairly distant
24%
Very distant
8%
Not sure
0.6%

Have you ever been to Israel?

No
55%
Yes - once
21%
Yes - more than once
23%