US and Israeli Jews Differ on Israel's Role in Rising Antisemitism

A recent survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) reveals a growing divide between American and Israeli Jews regarding the connection between Israeli government policy and the global rise in antisemitism. The "Voice of the Jewish People" index, released in September, found that a larger percentage of American Jews now believe Israel's actions significantly contribute to antisemitic sentiment worldwide.

In the US, 39% of surveyed Jews indicated that Israel's policies "significantly" fuel antisemitism, an increase from 31% in September 2025. Another 35% believe there is a partial connection, while 23% see no link, down from 32% a year prior. The JPPI noted that the survey focused on highly engaged members of the US Jewish community, suggesting these views may not represent all American Jews.

In contrast, Israeli Jews hold a different perspective. Only 28% of Israelis surveyed connect rising antisemitism to their government's policies, with a substantial 44% seeing no connection at all. This divergence extends to proposed responses, with 28% of American Jews advocating for significant policy adjustments, compared to only 17% of Israelis. A majority of Israelis (57%) prefer maintaining the current course, while only 37% of American Jews agree.

The survey also highlighted differing outlooks on Israel's future. Israeli Jews are considerably more optimistic, with 43% viewing the country's future positively, versus 19% of their American counterparts. Both groups showed a decrease in pessimism about Israel's long-term decline, with the figure for American Jews dropping from 38% in 2025. In the US, optimism about Israel's future is strongly correlated with political leanings, with conservatives being far more optimistic than liberals.

This research follows a report indicating that 2025 was the deadliest year for the Jewish diaspora in three decades due to antisemitic attacks, according to the international group J7.