The
2006 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion from the American Jewish Committee presents information based on a " survey of 958 American Jews was conducted between September 25 and October 16. The margin of error was plus or minus 3%."
Highlight(complete results on the flip):
20. In politics, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?
Republican 15
Democrat 54
Independent 29
Not sure 3
International Affairss
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the United States government is handling the war against terrorism?
Approve 31
Disapprove 62
Not Sure 8
2. Compared to one year ago, do you feel more safe from the threat of terrorism, less safe, or about as safe as you felt one year ago?
More 8
Less 31
Same 61
Not sure 0
3. Looking back, do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq, or should the U.S. have stayed out?
Right thing 29
Stayed out 65
Not Sure 6
4. Which of these do you think is most likely? Iraq will become a stable democracy in the next year or two, OR Iraq will become a stable democracy, but it will take longer than a year or two, OR Iraq will probably never become a stable democracy.
Will in the next year or two 3
Will take longer than a year or two 27
Will never become a stable democracy 66
Not sure 4
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the United States government is handling the situation with Iran's nuclear weapons program?
Approve 33
Disapprove 54
Not Sure 13
6. Would you support or oppose the United States taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?
Support 38
Oppose 54
Not Sure 8
7. Do you agree or disagree with those who claim that the West and the Muslim world are engaged in a clash of civilizations?
Agree 64
Disagree 29
Not Sure 7
Israel
8. Do you think there will or will not come a time when Israel and the Arabs will be able to settle their differences and live in peace?
Will 38
Will not 56
Not sure 6
9. 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 81
Disagree 13
Not sure 6
10. In the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, who emerged the winner?
Hezbollah 15
Israel 24
Neither (vol.) 49
Both (vol.) 2
Not sure 10
11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Israeli government has handled the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon?
Approve 55
Disapprove 35
Not sure 10
12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the United States government has handled the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon?
Approve 53
Disapprove 39
Not Sure 8
13. Do you think that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is likely to lead to a larger war involving other countries in the Middle East or not?
Yes, likely 46
No, not likely 44
Not sure 10
14. Would you support or oppose Israel taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?
Support 57
Oppose 35
Not sure 8
15. In the current situation, do you favor or oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state?
Favor 54
Oppose 38
Not sure 7
16. In the framework of a permanent peace with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to compromise on the status of Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli jurisdiction?
Yes 40 (an increase)
No 52
Not sure 7
17. In light of recent events in the Middle East, how would you rate various foreign governments in terms of their feelings toward Israel, with one hundred meaning a very warm, favorable feeling, zero meaning a very cold, unfavorable feeling, and fifty meaning not particularly warm or cold. You can use any number from zero to one hundred. How would you rate the government of [ ] in terms of feelings toward Israel?
Mean Score
a. United States 77
b. China 36
c. Germany 44
d. Egypt 37
e. France 30
f. Turkey 38
g. Russia 38
h. Jordan 36
i. Great Britain 65
j. Syria 15
18. In your opinion, does the United Nations treat Israel fairly or unfairly in its deliberations?
Fairly 27
Unfairly 66
Not sure 7
National Affairs
19. I'm going to read you a list of political views that people might hold. They are arranged from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Where would you place yourself on this scale?
Extremely liberal 4
Liberal 26
Slightly liberal 12
Moderate, middle of the road 32
Slightly conservative 10
Conservative 12
Extremely conservative 3
Not sure 2
20. In politics, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?
Republican 15
Democrat 54
Independent 29
Not sure 3
21. Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party is more likely to make the right decision about the war in Iraq?
Republican 22
Democratic 59
Both (vol.) 2
Neither (vol.) 11
Not sure 7
22. Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party is more likely to ensure a strong economy?
Republican 27
Democratic 60
Both (vol.) 1
Neither (vol.) 6
Not sure 6
23. Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party is more likely to make the right decision when it comes to dealing with terrorism?
Republican 28
Democratic 51
Both (vol.) 5
Neither (vol.) 10
Not sure 6
24. How serious a problem do you think the issue of illegal immigration is for the United States right now -- very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not a problem at all?
Very serious problem 40
Somewhat serious problem 38
Not too serious problem 17
Not a problem at all 4
Not sure 1
25. Which comes closest to your view about what government policy should be towards illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States? Should the government deport all illegal immigrants back to their home country, OR allow illegal immigrants to remain in the United States in order to work but only for a limited amount of time, OR allow illegal immigrants to remain in the United States and become U.S. citizens but only if they meet certain requirements over a period of time?
Deport all 14
Remain to work for limited amount of time 17
Remain to work if meet certain criteria 66
Not sure 3
26. In your opinion, how important is it that the United States achieve energy independence? Is it very important, somewhat important, or not important at all?
Very important 81
Somewhat important 18
Not important 1
Not sure 1
27. What is the best way for the United States to handle its energy needs -- by encouraging greater energy production, by encouraging greater energy conservation, or by developing alternative energy sources?
Greater energy production 5
Greater energy conservation 9
Developing alternative energy sources 74
All three (vol.) 11
Not sure 2
Antisemitisim
28. Do you think that antisemitism in the United States is currently a very serious problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem at all?
Very serious problem 26
Somewhat of a problem 65
Not a problem at all 9
Not sure 1
29. In your opinion, what proportion of each of the following groups in the United States is antisemitic--most, many, some, very few, or none?
Most Many Some Very None NS
few
a. Asians 2 4 37 38 10 8
b. Muslims 32 27 29 6 1 5
c. Hispanics 2 6 46 31 6 8
d. Blacks 5 6 55 17 3 5
e. Evangelic Protestants 9 15 41 20 5 11
f. Catholic 5 10 53 24 4 5
30. Do you think that antisemitism in the Muslim world is currently a very serious problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem at all?
Very serious problem 73
Somewhat of a problem 23
Not a problem at all 2
Not sure 3
31. Looking ahead over the next several years, do you think that antisemitism around the world will increase greatly, increase somewhat, remain the same, decrease somewhat, or decrease greatly?
Increase greatly 17
Increase somewhat 36
Remain the same 36
Decrease somewhat 7
Decrease greatly 1
Not sure 3
E. Jewish Identity
32. How important would you say being Jewish is in your own life?
Very important 61
Fairly important 28
Not very important 10
33. Do you think of yourself as . . .
Orthodox 8
Conservative 33
Reconstructionist 2
Reform 31
Just Jewish 24
Not sure 2
34. Do you belong to a synagogue or temple?
Yes 53
No 46
35. How close do you feel to Israel?
Very close 37
Fairly close 39
Fairly distant 16
Very distant 6
Not sure 2
36. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Caring about Israel is a very important part of my being a Jew."
Agree 74
Disagree 25
Not sure 2