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 Advocates for Right to Worship

September 25, 2026
September 23, 2026 The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker of the United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Mr. Speaker: I submit this statement for the record in support of H.R. 10052 and S. 5289, the Right to Worship Act. I am grateful to Representatives Brad Knott, Tom Suozzi, Michael Lawler, and Josh Gottheimer and Senators Ted Cruz and Elissa Slotkin for their bipartisan leadership in introducing this important legislation to protect the fundamental right of Americans to worship without fear, intimidation, or deliberate disruption. For Jewish Americans, this protection is particularly urgent. Synagogues should be places where Jewish families can gather in prayer, celebrate Shabbat and holidays, educate their children, and sustain their communities. No one should have to approach a synagogue wondering whether protesters will block the entrance, intimidate worshippers, prevent families from entering, or deliberately disrupt religious services. The Right to Worship Act recognizes a basic principle of religious liberty: Americans must be able to enter their houses of worship and participate in religious services without being subjected to conduct that meaningfully interferes with their ability to worship. The legislation establishes a narrowly tailored 100-foot protection zone around entrances to houses of worship during scheduled religious services and prohibits knowing conduct that disrupts services or hinders, deters, threatens, or intimidates people seeking to attend. This protection is not about preventing peaceful expression or legitimate public debate. The legislation specifically distinguishes protected expression from conduct that interferes with the ability of people to worship. That distinction is essential. Americans have a constitutional right to express their views, including views with which others strongly disagree. But that right should not be used as a justification for preventing another person from exercising the equally fundamental right to freely practice their religion. The need for this protection is especially clear for Jewish communities. In recent years, Jewish Americans have faced protests, intimidation, threats, and security concerns at and around synagogues and other Jewish institutions. Jewish families should not have to choose between exercising their faith and avoiding confrontation at the doors of their houses of worship. The right to worship is a foundational American freedom. It belongs to Jews, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and Americans of every faith. Protecting houses of worship therefore is not a special accommodation for any one religious community. It is a protection of religious liberty itself. We also recognize the importance of maintaining the careful balance between religious freedom and the First Amendment's protection of speech and peaceful assembly. The Right to Worship Act addresses that balance by focusing on conduct that actually disrupts religious services or prevents or intimidates individuals from attending them, rather than on the viewpoint or content of someone's speech. We support continued careful consideration of the legislation to ensure that its protections remain clear, appropriately tailored, and consistent with constitutional rights. For Jewish Americans, the ability to walk through the doors of a synagogue and worship openly is not an abstract principle. It is an essential part of Jewish communal life and religious freedom. A Jewish family should be able to attend services on Shabbat or a holiday without being blocked, threatened, intimidated, or made to feel that entering their synagogue is itself an act of confrontation. Religious freedom cannot exist if people are technically free to worship but are effectively prevented from doing so by intimidation or deliberate disruption at the doors of their houses of worship. We strongly support the goals of the Right to Worship Act and urge Congress to advance this bipartisan legislation. Protecting the right of Americans to gather, pray, and practice their faith is a constitutional responsibility and a fundamental American value. The freedom to worship belongs to all of us. Congress should ensure that every American can exercise that freedom without fear. Sincerely,

JEI Advocates for Jewish American Security

September 23, 2026
September 23, 2026 The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker of the United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Mr. Speaker: I submit this statement for the record in support of H.R. 9211, the Jewish American Security Act. I am deeply grateful to Representatives Dan Goldman and Mike Lawler for leading this important bipartisan effort to confront antisemitism and strengthen protections for Jewish Americans. At a time when too many Jewish families, students, educators, houses of worship, and community institutions face fear and intimidation, their leadership brings moral clarity and urgently needed Congressional attention to a crisis affecting communities across the country. I also thank the bipartisan group of House members who joined them in introducing this legislation and the chairs, ranking members, and members of the committees of jurisdiction who will guide its consideration. Their engagement reflects a basic but essential principle: protecting Jewish Americans and confronting antisemitism should command the attention of Congress and the conscience of the country. The Jewish American Security Act addresses the realities Jewish communities confront every day. Antisemitism now reaches into schools and campuses, threatens houses of worship and communal institutions, spreads online in ways that can contribute to real-world violence, and requires federal agencies to respond with coordination, consistency, and seriousness. The bill also brings needed attention to an important and often misunderstood issue. Its findings recognize that antisemitism can arise when others hold Jewish individuals responsible for the policies of the Israeli government or attack, disparage, or demonize them because of their real or perceived connection to, affiliation with, or support for Israel as a Jewish state. That recognition matters. Anti-Israel campaigns can cross the line into antisemitic discrimination, harassment, and exclusion when they target Jewish Americans because of who they are, what they believe, or how others perceive their relationship to Israel and the Jewish people. At the same time, language touching on Israel, antisemitism, civil rights, campus life, and protected expression requires careful drafting. We welcome continued work with the sponsors, committees of jurisdiction, civil rights experts, Jewish communal organizations, constitutional scholars, educators, and other stakeholders to refine the bill and ensure it protects Jewish Americans while respecting constitutional rights and legitimate policy debate. The central issue before Congress remains urgent. No Jewish American should face discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or violence in schools, houses of worship, workplaces, public spaces, or online because they are Jewish or because of their actual or perceived connection to Israel and the Jewish people. Combating antisemitism requires more than statements after attacks occur. It requires prevention, enforcement, education, data, accountability, and resources. It also requires Congress to recognize that Jewish safety and American democracy stand together. A pluralistic democracy cannot thrive when hate forces any community to live with fear, hide its identity, or question whether public institutions will protect them. I strongly support the goals of the Jewish American Security Act and urge Congress to continue refining and advancing this legislation in a bipartisan manner. Protecting Jewish Americans is not a partisan question. It is an American obligation. Sincerely,

PressTV:Over half of US Jews say Netanyahu’s actions have intensified anti-Semitism in US, poll finds out

September 20, 2026
According to the Mellman Group poll conducted for the Jewish Electorate Institute , 56% of Jewish voters in the United States hold an unfavorable view of Netanyahu. This concern splits along party lines, as among Jewish Democrats, 65% share the view, compared with 46% among independent voters and 34% among Republicans.  The survey also revealed that 60% of respondents would like Netanyahu to be replaced as the head of the Tel Aviv regime, while 16% would support his re-election.