A revealing new poll from the Jewish People Policy Institute is raising eyebrows across the political spectrum and exposing deep divisions among American Jews over Israel’s actions in Gaza and beyond.
According to the JPPI’s “Voice of the Jewish People Index,” half of U.S. Jews who identify as “very liberal” now believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The findings suggest that Israel may be losing the support of a traditionally loyal demographic: liberal American Jews.
The report also shows a broader split in public opinion: 45% of all American Jews believe Israel has been too aggressive in Gaza, while about a third think Israel hasn’t gone far enough. But political ideology makes all the difference. Among Jewish Trump voters, nearly 70% say Israel should take a tougher stance, while 68% of Jewish Harris voters say the opposite that Israel’s actions have gone too far.
There’s also division over how the war is progressing. Half of Trump-supporting Jewish Americans believe Israel is winning. Among Harris supporters, half say Israel is not.
Dr. Shuki Friedman, Director General of JPPI, described the findings as “alarming,” saying that even among American Jews who historically support Israel, the government is struggling to justify the war’s aims and methods. He added that Israel’s message is failing to resonate, especially regarding the legitimacy of its policies.
The survey didn’t stop at Gaza. It also looked at reactions to Israel’s recent confrontation with Iran. While a majority of Israeli Jews consider the Iran operation a success, American Jews were far more skeptical. Only 7% of U.S. Jews gave Israel top marks for the operation’s success, compared to over a third of Israelis.
And political alignment again shaped those opinions: around half of “very liberal” U.S. Jews said they believe Israel lost in its campaign against Iran. Meanwhile, many right-leaning Jewish Americans gave more favorable assessments.
The fallout from the Iran operation also appears to have boosted the image of political leaders. Trust in former President Donald Trump on U.S.-Israel relations rose after the strike on Iran, and 36% of Israelis say their opinion of Prime Minister Netanyahu has improved in recent weeks.
In U.S. domestic politics, the survey spotlighted rising concerns over New York City Councilman and mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, a progressive candidate with outspoken views on Israel.
According to JPPI, 69% of American Jews view Mamdani’s candidacy negatively, and 61% believe he is both anti-Israel and antisemitic. That disapproval is nearly unanimous among conservative Jewish voters, while 42% of very liberal Jews say they support him.
As tensions deepen abroad and at home, the numbers reveal a Jewish-American community deeply divided over what the future should look like not only for Israel but for its relationships with allies and critics alike.
We will continue to monitor reactions from both Jerusalem and Washington.
Reporting by Carl Montel.
