US Jews Favor Opposition Victory in Israeli Elections, Poll Finds

A new poll reveals that a significant majority of American Jews are closely following the upcoming Israeli elections, with 78% tracking the news, despite only 8% being eligible to vote. Among those eligible to vote in Israel, the engagement is even higher at 92%.

When it comes to political preference, 54% of American Jews surveyed expressed a desire for the opposition to win, compared to just 14% who favor the current coalition. This preference for the opposition is particularly pronounced among staunch liberals, with 78% supporting them against only 2% for the coalition. Conversely, among staunch conservatives, 56% back the coalition and 8% the opposition.

Among those who identify as Trump voters, 43% prefer the coalition to win, while 34% believe it is not their place to express an opinion. Within Israel, among those eligible to vote, 55% prefer an opposition victory and 26% favor the coalition.

The poll also found that 65% of respondents believe it is entirely legitimate for Israelis living abroad to travel to Israel to vote. Professor Yedidya Stern, president of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), which conducted the survey, stated that the high level of interest demonstrates that American Jews view Israel as part of their extended family, and rebuilding relations with them should be a central task for the next Israeli government.