US Jews Favor Israeli Opposition in Elections, Poll Shows

A significant majority of American Jews are closely following news about upcoming Israeli elections, with nearly eight in ten (78%) tracking developments, according to an August survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI). This intense interest persists despite only 8% of respondents holding Israeli citizenship and the right to vote.

When it comes to political preference, 54% of American Jews surveyed expressed a preference for the opposition to win the Israeli elections, compared to just 14% who favor the current coalition. This divide is particularly pronounced among liberal respondents, with 78% supporting the opposition versus 2% for the coalition. Conversely, among staunch conservatives, 56% back the coalition and 8% the opposition. Even among those who identify as Trump voters, 43% prefer the coalition, while 34% believe they should not express an opinion.

Among American Jews who are eligible to vote in Israel, election monitoring is even higher at 92%. Of this group, 55% prefer the opposition's victory, while 26% support the current coalition.

Furthermore, the survey found that 65% of respondents believe it is entirely legitimate for Israelis living abroad to travel to Israel to vote. Professor Yedidia Stern, president of the JPPI, commented that this considerable interest demonstrates that American Jews view Israel as part of their extended family, emphasizing that rebuilding relations with them should be a central task for the next Israeli government.