Majority of US Jews Favor Cutting Military Aid to Israel, Poll Finds

A new poll indicates that a majority of American Jews surveyed are in favor of reducing or eliminating U.S. military aid to Israel. The survey, conducted by the Mellman Group for the Jewish Electorate Institute and reported by Walla, found that 52% of respondents wish to decrease the current level of military assistance. Specifically, 36% support a reduction, while 17% favor its complete elimination. Conversely, 40% want to maintain the current aid levels, with 8% undecided.

Political affiliation significantly influences these views. Among Democrats surveyed, 63% expressed a desire to reduce or eliminate aid. In contrast, a majority of Republicans (67%) and independents (65%) preferred to keep aid at its present level.

The poll also distinguished between defensive and offensive equipment. Four in ten respondents are very concerned about potential Congressional cuts to funding for defensive systems like the Iron Dome, while a slightly lower proportion, 36%, expressed similar worry regarding cuts to offensive weaponry.

Regarding the electoral consequences of aid reduction, 47% of those polled stated they would be less likely to support a member of Congress who voted to decrease military aid to Israel. Only 21% indicated they would be more likely to support such a representative.

The survey also touched upon concerns about antisemitism in the U.S. It revealed that 48% of respondents are very concerned about antisemitic rhetoric within the Republican Party, compared to 44% regarding the Democratic Party. Furthermore, 56% of those surveyed expressed significant concern that actions taken by Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have contributed to a rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the United States. The article notes that this finding reflects the respondents' perceptions and does not inherently establish a causal link.

The results highlight diverse attitudes within the American Jewish electorate concerning Israel, U.S. military aid, and Israeli policy. The article advises interpreting these findings with consideration for the survey's methodology, sample size, and the period of data collection.