NEW JEI POLL: What Concerns Jewish Americans Across the Political Spectrum

September 16, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17, 2026

CONTACT: Steve Rabinowitz
steve@bluelightstrategies.com
c: (202) 265-3000

MAJORITY OF U.S. JEWS CONCERNED 
NETANYAHU HAS INCREASED ANTISEMITSM, NEW POLL SHOWS; 
Also Highlights Divisions On Aid, AIPAC and the Primaries


Washington, DC – American Jews are still overwhelmingly pro-Israel but also very critical of Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu, according to a new survey by the Mellman Group for the Jewish Electorate Institute. A majority are concerned that Netanyahu’s actions have increased antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiment. While this is more prevalent among Democrats, even a third of GOP Jews are greatly concerned. This poll also shows the divisions on some recent hot button issues. For instance, most Democrats support cutting aid to Israel, while majorities of independents and Republicans are opposed. There is also a division on the recent pro-Israel action in primary elections – with over a third of Jews feeling it has made things worse, while an increasing plurality feel it is more important than ever.


Jews Are Pro-Israel but Very Critical of Netanyahu, Though Not Focused on The Upcoming Israeli Election


An overwhelming 86% of American Jews identify themselves as Pro-Israel, including 65% saying they are pro-Israel but critical of some or many of Israeli government policies. This is barely changed from the March JEI poll which showed 86% pro-Israel and 63% critical.


Nearly three quarters (71%) see Israel favorably compared to 25% unfavorably – also barely changed from March (71%/24%). At the same time, 61% have an unfavorable view of Netanyahu, with 34% favorable. This is within a point of Netanyahu’s standing from the JEI post-election poll in November 2024 which showed 33% favorable, 61% unfavorable.


While 80% of American Jews are following the November elections in the U.S., only 38% are following the October elections in Israel. They do, however, have a strong preference in the outcome with 60% wanting Netanyahu replaced, including 53% feeling strongly. Only 16% of American Jews want to see him reelected.


A Majority Are Concerned Netanyahu Has Increased Anti-Semitic And Anti-Israel Feelings


Nearly half of American Jews are concerned about antisemitic rhetoric in the Republican Party (48% a great deal of concern) and Democratic Party (44%). Even among partisans, roughly three in ten are greatly concerned about antisemitic rhetoric within their own party, with 29% of Republicans saying that about the GOP and 34% of Democrats saying it about their party.


A 56% majority of Jews have a great deal of concern that “Israel’s actions under Netanyahu have increased antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the U.S.” Two thirds (65%) of Democratic Jews feel this way, and nearly half (46%) of independents and a third (34%) of Republicans.


Most Democrats Would Cut Aid To Israel, But Republicans & Independents Are Opposed


A 52% majority of Jews support cutting or eliminating aid to Israel, with 17% supporting “eliminating all $3.3 billion in military aid that the U.S. provides Israel” and 36% preferring to cut but not eliminate aid. Four in ten (40%) would keep aid at current levels, with 8% not sure.


There are stark differences on partisanship, with nearly two thirds of Democrats (63%) wanting to cut or eliminate aid, and a similar two thirds of Republicans (67%) and independents (65%) for keeping current levels.


Four in ten (40%) Jews are concerned about Congressional support for eliminating aid for “defensive weapons like Iron Dome” (40%), only slightly higher than concern for eliminating “offensive weapons” (36%). A majority of Republicans are concerned about cuts to either offensive (54%) or defensive weapon (56%), while less than half of independents are concerned (44% defensive, 45% offensive) and only a third of Democrats (34% defensive, 29% offensive.)


Still, there is more of a cost for a Member of Congress voting to cut aid, than a benefit. Nearly half (47%) are less likely to support a Member voting to cut aid, including 36% of those who support cutting aid themselves. Only one in five (21%) are more likely to vote for a Member cutting aid. Even among those who support cuts, only 13% are more likely to support a Member voting that way.


Views On AIPAC And The Recent Primary Battles Are Mixed, Even Among Democrats


A majority (51%) of American Jews have heard at least something about pro-Israel activity in this year’s primary elections – up from 38% in March.


However, higher awareness has not dramatically changed opinions. A narrow 39% plurality support the pro-Israel activity in the primaries, 35% oppose it, and 26% are unsure; very similar to March (37% support, 32% oppose, 31% not sure).


Given a choice between two statements, 45% believe “With increasing anti-Israel sentiment and threats to Israel, it is more important than ever for pro-Israel groups to play an active role against candidates who are not supportive enough of a strong US-Israel relationship”, while 37% believe that “These heavy-handed efforts by pro-Israel groups in primary elections make things worse by turning voters against a strong US-Israel relationship, and they should stop.”


Large majorities of Republicans and independents believe it more important than ever for pro-Israel groups to get involved in the primaries. But while Democrats lean the other way, they are more torn – with 46% saying the pro-Israel activity is making things worse, but the majority of Democrats either think it’s more important than ever (34%) or are not sure (20%).


Indeed, views of AIPAC, the biggest pro-Israel spender in primaries, are mixed, with 42% favorable, 35% unfavorable, and 24% not sure. AIPAC is seen favorably by most independents (55% favorable, 15% unfavorable) and Republicans (71% favorable, 12% unfavorable). Jewish Democrats are 44% unfavorable, with a majority either favorable (31%) or not sure (25%).


Moreover, Democratic Jews do not fit easily into one box on AIPAC. Nearly half (45%) agree with the statement “AIPAC is being unfairly singled out for doing just what other advocacy groups do”. Yet 30% agree they cannot vote for a candidate who accepts money from AIPAC, while 19% cannot support a candidate who refuses money from AIPAC.


“While American Jews are generally together on being pro-Israel even if critical of the government, there are divisions on what should be done in the U.S. on aid and elections,” says Michael Bloomfield, Executive V.P. and Managing Director of The Mellman Group, which conducted the survey for JEI.


Meanwhile, despite all the recent coverage of socialist candidates and antisemitism, Jews are still voting overwhelmingly Democratic in the generic vote for Congress, the new survey shows. However, this poll also shows that Jewish Democrats have concerns about their party. Over a third of Jewish Democrats say anti-Israel candidates are making it harder to identify as Democrats. So far, this is not affecting their vote, but this poll shows crosscurrents under the surface and the potential for fissures.


Jews Overwhelmingly Support Democrats in the Generic Congressional Vote


Two months from the midterm elections, Democrats have a 71%-23% lead among Jews in the generic vote for Congress; barely changed from 71%-24% in our March JEI poll. Jewish Democrats are almost totally consolidated with 97% voting Democratic. Democrats also have a 14-point lead among Jewish independents (35%-21%), though the plurality (43%) is undecided.


Democrats’ 48-point margin among Jewish voters is within the historical range in recent exit polls, nearly matching 2024’s 50-point margin and exceeding the 33-point Democratic margin in 2022, though it falls short of the 64-point margin in the last blue wave election in 2018.


Moreover, Jews view the Democratic Party significantly more favorably (59%) than the GOP (24%), in line with the large Democratic advantage in party ID (68% identifying as Democrats compared to 22% Republican). In fact, net favorability for the Democratic Party has increased slightly (+2) since March, while net favorability for Republican Party has dropped (-3).


Jews also give Democrats significant advantages on representing their point of view (57% Democrats, 23% Republicans), shared values (61% Democrats, 22% Republicans), and fighting antisemitism (37% Democrats, 27% Republicans, though neither party gets high marks on this dimension). Jews are also more likely to see Republicans as too extreme (70% Republicans, 33% Democrats). The Mellman Group (September 2026)


Still, Jewish Democrats Have Concerns About Their Party


Despite this overwhelming Democratic support, Jews and Democratic Jews have concerns about recent trends in the Party. These concerns revolve around three areas:


Antisemitism:

  •  A 57% majority believe antisemitism is increasing in the Democratic Party; and 60% see antisemitism increasing in the GOP. But only 37% of Republican Jews say it is rising in their ranks compared to 50% of Jewish Democrats seeing the increase in their party.
  • Only 37% say that “fighting antisemitism” describes Democrats, a 5 point drop just from March. Nearly half (46%) of Jewish Democrats would not describe Democrats as fighting antisemitism.


Israel:

  •  A 51% majority do not think “pro-Israel” describes Democrats. This is 6-point increase from March (45%) and a 15-point increase from 2018 (36%).
  • Over a third (35%) of Jewish Democrats agree: “The rise of anti-Israel candidates in the Democratic Party is making it harder for you personally to identify as a Democrat.
  • Half (50%) of Jewish Democrats say they cannot support candidates accusing Israel of genocide.


Socialism:

  • Views of democratic socialism are mixed with 44% favorable and 43% unfavorable; but more negative on Democratic Socialists of America at 35% favorable, 45% unfavorable.
  • Jewish Democrats are majority favorable about both democratic socialism (60% favorable, 28% unfavorable) and the DSA (47% favorable, 29% unfavorable).
  • Two-thirds of Democratic Jews (65%) are open to voting for democratic socialists, and 72% if it means Democratic control of Congress. On the flip side, 25% of Democrats say they are not open to socialists, with 15% not open even if control of Congress is at stake.


The range of views within the community is reflected in views of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Jews overall are slightly net unfavorable about both Mamdani (44% favorable, 45% unfavorable) and El-Sayed (33% favorable, 37% unfavorable, 30% don’t know.) But among Democratic Jews, both are seen favorably, with Mamdani 2:1 favorable (60% to 29%) and El-Sayed at 44% favorable, 23% unfavorable, though a third of Jewish Democrats don’t know El-Sayed well enough to have an opinion.


“People can hold contradictory attitudes,” says Bloomfield, the pollster. “Right now, whatever their concerns, Jews are overwhelmingly voting Democratic; and see Democrats as more in line with their views and values than Republicans. But concerns about the Democratic party – as well as the GOP – are clear, even among Jewish Democrats. Whether or not this affects the vote in the midterms, these cross-pressures will certainly be factors going well beyond this November,” Bloomfield says.


“Preliminary findings and analyses raise some red flags that should not be ignored,” says JEI chair Barbara Goldberg Goldman. “Several glaring red flags cannot be discounted. For example, among Jewish Republicans and especially among Democrats, there is concern about how their respective parties are recognizing and addressing the exponential rise in antisemitism. Although Democratic and Republican voters’ support for their respective parties appears steady today, Israel, Socialism and antisemitism are significant issues,” Goldberg Goldman says. “While vote totals may shift modestly today, these results very well could be serious indicators of future trends, and very well could be a blueprint for what lies ahead for Jewish voters.”


This analysis is based on the findings of a national survey of 800 Jewish registered voters by the Mellman Group for JEI. The survey was conducted using a high-quality online national panel from August 25-September 3, 2026. The margin of error for the sample as a whole is +/- 3.5% at the 95% level of confidence (higher for subgroups).


The Mellman Group


Named “Pollster of the Year” three times by the American Association of Political Consultants, The Mellman Group has provided sophisticated opinion research and strategic advice to political leaders, public interest organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies for over 30 years. All told, The Mellman Group has helped win over fifty senate and gubernatorial races, and nearly one hundred House race contests. More at  https://mellmangroup.com/.


Jewish Electorate Institute


JEI is the foremost resource on Jewish voter political preferences, producing the top research, polling, and analysis critical to understanding the Jewish electorate. The nonpartisan nonprofit was founded in 2017 and became independent in 2024. See https://www.jewishelectorateinstitute.org/ for more.


For more media information, contact board member Steve Rabinowitz at 202-265-3000 or steve@bluelightstrategies.com.

JEI LATEST MIDTERM POST-ELECTION POLL: THE MELLMAN GROUP SUMMARY MEMO

November 9, 2026
To: Jewish Electorate Institute From: The Mellman Group Re: The Jewish Vote Was Overwhelmingly Democratic, Though Down Slightly, As Concerns About Antisemitic Rhetoric In Both Parties Continues Date: November 8, 2026

JEI POST-ELECTION POLL: JEWISH VOTERS REMAIN STRONGLY DEMOCRATIC, BUT WARNING SIGNS EMERGE FOR BOTH PARTIES

November 9, 2026
CONTACT: Michael Bloomfield, Mellman Group Managing Director (202) 251-0793 Barbara Goldberg Goldman, JEI Chair, (202) 695-0531 69% of Jewish voters supported Democrats, even as concerns over antisemitism, political extremism and Israel expose growing tensions within both parties (This analysis is based on the findings of a national survey of 800 Jewish registered voters who voted in the November 2026 election. The survey was conducted using a high-quality online national panel from October 29–November 6, 2026. The margin of error for the sample is +/- 3.5% at the 95% level of confidence, higher for subgroups). JEI will host an open-to-the-press public briefing on Tuesday, November 10, at 11:00 a.m. ET, featuring the pollsters from The Mellman Group ** who conducted the poll. They will present the findings, explore their implications for both political parties, and answer questions. Register HERE for the briefing. The latest Jewish Electorate Institute (JEI)* post-midterm election poll results confirm that the Jewish electorate is one of the Democratic Party’s most loyal constituencies. However, this latest poll by the nine-year-old independent, nonpartisan JEI reveals a far more complex political landscape beneath that loyalty. It found that 69% of Jewish voters supported Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections, even as Israel, antisemitism, and the Jewish community itself became unusually prominent, and at times deeply troubling, campaign issues. Since 2024, Jewish Democratic voter support for Democratic candidates has declined, albeit modestly. It stands below the levels recorded during the Democratic wave in President Trump’s previous midterm election. The Mellman Group summary memo can be found HERE. The findings reveal significant concerns within both parties: ● Antisemitism crosses party lines. Among Jewish Republican voters, 25% believe the GOP is too accepting of antisemitic rhetoric, while 24% believe it is becoming too much of a home for white nationalists and the far right. ● Jewish Democrats are raising alarms as well. More than one-third (36%) believe their party is too accepting of antisemitic rhetoric, while 24% worry it is becoming too much of a home for socialists and the far left. ● Israel remains a point of tension. More than one-quarter (28%) of Jewish Democratic voters report supporting candidates whose positions on Israel concerned them, choosing those candidates because of other considerations. A LOYAL ELECTORATE, BUT NOT WITHOUT RESERVATIONS Michael Bloomfield, Managing Director of The Mellman Group says: “In this historic landslide, the Jewish vote was driven in great part by the national concerns that swept the country. Even as Israel, antisemitism, and the Jewish community itself became campaign issues, they were overwhelmed by the larger referendum on Trump and rising costs. But the underlying potential flash points have not gone away, and they will be key factors to consider as we move away from the midterms and into the complete reshaping of Congress and the presidential primaries.” Barbara Goldberg Goldman, Chair of JEI: “As we head into the 2028 election cycle, these findings are an important guide to the changing political landscape for the American Jewish community.” AMERICAN JEWS ALSO WEIGH IN ON ISRAEL’S POLITICAL FUTURE Former Israeli General Gadi Eisenkot remains relatively unfamiliar to American Jews, but those expressing an opinion view him favorably by more than two to one: 30% favorable compared with 12% unfavorable. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, continues to face substantial disapproval, with 63% of American Jews viewing him unfavorably. JEI’s September pre-midterm election poll conducted by The Mellman Group found that only 16% wanted Netanyahu to remain prime minister, compared with 60% who favored replacing him. To register for the NOVEMBER 10 ,11: 00 am open-to-the-press briefing : Register HERE . *ABOUT JEI The Jewish Electorate Institute (JEI) is an independent, nonpartisan, politically unaffiliated, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the active and informed participation of the Jewish community in the democratic process. ​​** The Mellman Group Named “ Pollster of the Year ” three times by the American Association of Political Consultants, The Mellman Group has provided sophisticated opinion research and strategic advice to political leaders, public interest organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies for over 30 years. All told, The Mellman Group has helped win over fifty Senate and gubernatorial races, and nearly one hundred House race contests.

JTA: ‘Politically homeless’ is the new mantra for American Jews. Will it change their vote?

November 1, 2026
That evidence includes a September survey by the Jewish Electorate Institute , conducted by the Democratic-aligned Mellman Group. It found that Jewish voters favored Democratic congressional candidates over Republicans by 71% to 23%. The Democratic advantage was virtually unchanged from their similar survey in March. Among Jewish Democrats, 97% said they would vote Democratic. At the same time, the survey found real unease within the party. More than a third of Jewish Democrats said the rise of anti-Israel candidates had made it harder for them personally to identify as Democrats. A majority of Jewish voters said antisemitism was increasing within the Democratic Party, and a similar share said it was increasing within the Republican Party.