U.S. JEWS IDENTIFY AS BOTH PRO-ISRAEL & CRITICAL OF ITS GOV’T
Relatively Few are Paying Close Attention to the Pro-Israel Role in the 2026 Primaries
Despite the media coverage of the involvement of pro-Israel groups in the recent primaries, few Jews have been following this closely. Just 38% say they have heard at least some about these efforts; and only 11% have heard a great deal. The majority (62%) say they have not heard much, including 32% who say they have heard nothing at all or are unsure. This limited awareness extends across party with similar numbers across Jewish Democrats (12% great deal, 27% some) and Republicans (10% great deal, 27% some) and slightly lower levels among independents (6% great deal, 25% some).
There is a bit more awareness among younger Jews, the Mellman poll for JEI finds.. Nearly half (49%) of those under 40 years old say they have heard something about the pro-Israel involvement in the 2026 primaries. Less than one-fifth (17%) say they have heard a great deal.
Given More Information, There Are Clear Divisions Along Partisan Lines About Spending Millions to Elect The Most Pro-Israel Candidates – Though Nearly One-Third Are Unsure
After hearing that “pro-Israel groups have spent millions of dollars against candidates in primary elections who they believe are not supportive enough of the U.S.-Israel relationship,” opinions are divided. A narrow plurality of 37% supports the involvement, with 32% opposed and 31% unsure.
The few who have already heard a great deal about the primaries are majority opposed (60%), compared to only 32% support. But the bigger difference is on partisanship. The pro-Israel spending in the primaries is supported by majorities of both Republicans (73%) and independents (50%). Democrats, on the other hand, are plurality opposed (24% support, 42% oppose), with over one-third (34%) not sure.
There is a slight difference by age groups. Net support is slightly higher among seniors at +10 (38% support, 28% oppose). The middle aged, 40-59 years old, are +4 (36% support, 32% oppose). And the youngest cohort, under 40 years old, is slightly lower net support at +3. But all these differences are slight, and in line with partisanship which is the bigger driver here.
A Narrow Plurality Believes it More Important Than Ever to Get Involved in The Primaries, but The Plurality of Democrats Believe “Heavy Handed” Tactics Will Make Things Worse.
A narrow plurality (39%) believes that “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.” Nearly as many (37%) think 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”. Nearly one-quarter (24%) are unsure.
Views again diverge based on party. A 46% plurality of Democratic Jews believes this spending will make things worse, while only 28% say it’s more important than ever to take action, and 26% are not sure. Majorities of Republicans (67%) and independents (59%) say it is more important than ever to take action.
AIPAC’s Image is Net Favorable Overall, but Less Favorable Among Democrats; While DMFI Is Less Known, but Better Liked by Those Who Know Them
The two groups most involved in the pro-Israel spending are the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Democratic Majority For Israel. Two-thirds (68%) of American Jews know enough about AIPAC to have an opinion, with 39% favorable, 29% unfavorable and 32% unsure. Again, there is a partisan divide. Republicans are majority favorable (66% favorable, 10% unfavorable); as are independents (50% favorable, 19% unfavorable). Democrats are more evenly divided and net unfavorable with 37% unfavorable, 29% favorable, 33% unsure.
DMFI is less well known, with name ID at 48%, but those who know them are 2:1 favorable (32% favorable, 16% unfavorable). As a Democratic organization, they are best known and best liked among Democrats (34% favorable, 13% unfavorable). They are also net favorable among independents (31% favorable, 18% unfavorable) but only barely so among Republicans (25% favorable, 24% unfavorable).
J Street, at 18% net favorable and 19% total unfavorable is almost exactly even but much less known. Nearly have of respondents (46%) say they have never heard of them.
As noted at the top here, this is the second release from this new JEI poll. Complete results to come Friday. https://www.jewishelectorateinstitute.org/2025-poll
The Democratic National Committee is scheduled to consider a resolution at a regular meeting, this week in New Orleans, that “condemns the growing influence” of AIPAC. Meanwhile, other resolutions about Israel may come up from the floor.
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/
Mellman Executive Vice President Michael Bloomfield observed, “These numbers provide some helpful context about how American Jews are thinking about US-Israel issues. Almost all of them identify as pro-Israel, but most are critical of the Israeli government. They also differ on how best to move forward the U.S.-Israel relationship.
“This poll shows that for all the discussion about the role pro-Israel groups are taking in the primaries, there is still relatively little awareness of this for now. Given more information, the plurality of Jewish Democrats is worried these tactics could backfire. But still the majority are either unsure or believe getting involved in these primary races is more important than ever.
“This is a developing dynamic which bears watching as things play out in the Middle East and in the 2026 campaign here at home.”
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. Chair Barbara Goldberg Goldman said, “Our latest poll underscores a critical truth: strong support for Israel does not preclude thoughtful criticism of its government or policies. American Jewish voters draw a clear distinction between the country and its leadership—and they expect that nuance to be understood. Supporting Israel and questioning its government are not contradictions. Just as importantly, this poll is a reminder that the Jewish vote cannot and should not be taken for granted. Jewish voters are thoughtful and engaged.”
See https://www.jewishelectorateinstitute.org/ for more.
For more media information only, contact Board member Steve Rabinowitz at 202-265-3000 or steve@bluelightstrategies.com.
