Poll Finds Most Jewish Americans Feel Abandoned By Both Political Parties

For Yahm Levin, a 39-year-old Jewish Democrat from Los Angeles, introducing herself has go complicated.

Levin says she nary longer feels comfortable utilizing her first sanction successful progressive circles because revealing she's Jewish — and that she erstwhile lived successful Israel — often leads to uncomfortable questions. Instead, she introduces herself by her mediate name, Shelly.

"I don't really consciousness comfortable successful leftist circles anymore," said Levin, a erstwhile librarian. "I conscionable want to beryllium a Jewish American who has a relationship to Israel. But I consciousness for illustration I can't do that. And it's very frustrating. And sometimes a small scary."

Levin is among galore Jewish Americans who opportunity they consciousness politically adrift arsenic nan warfare successful Gaza, which began aft Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, onslaught connected Israel, has deepened divisions complete Israel wrong some governmental parties.

A caller AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research canvass recovered astir Jewish adults consciousness neither statement adequately represents them. Nearly two-thirds, 63%, said antisemitism is an "extremely" aliases "very" superior problem successful nan United States, yet fewer judge either Democrats aliases Republicans powerfully support Jewish Americans.

Just 15% said nan Democratic Party supports Jewish group "extremely" aliases "very" well, while 41% said Democrats support them "not very well" aliases "not good astatine all." Views of President Donald Trump and nan Republican Party were only somewhat worse, pinch astir half saying Republicans do not support Jewish Americans well.

The study of 1,022 Jewish adults besides recovered 77% judge antisemitism has accrued complete nan past 3 years. By comparison, only 38% of U.S. adults wide position antisemitism arsenic an "extremely" aliases "very" superior problem.

The governmental vexation extends crossed statement lines.

Max Sacher, a 27-year-old Jewish Republican from Austin, Texas, said he was disappointed by Trump's caller negotiated efforts pinch Iran contempt mostly approving of nan president's support for nan Jewish community.

"I consciousness very mislaid politically," Sacher said. "I utilized to person a home. Now I consciousness for illustration I'm connected an land successful modern-day politics."

Jewish voters made up astir 3% of nan 2024 electorate, pinch 66% backing Vice President Kamala Harris and 33% supporting Trump, according to AP VoteCast.

Ellen Kuberski, a 72-year-old Jewish Democrat from Chicago, said she powerfully opposes Trump but has besides grown disappointment pinch Democrats, whom she believes person go excessively captious of Israel.

"I thin to beryllium much successful statement pinch nan acold near successful conscionable astir everything else," she said. "But now nan acold near is attacking nan Jewish community. There's capable antisemitism successful nan world that we don't request politicians connected what's expected to beryllium connected our broadside coming retired pinch that crap."

The canvass besides highlighted divisions wrong nan Jewish organization complete Israel. About 36% said supporting Israel is "extremely" aliases "very" important to their Jewish identity, while different 26% said it is "somewhat" important.

Views of governmental leaders were likewise mixed. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a vocal professional of Israel, received favorable ratings from 44% of Jewish adults, compared pinch astir one-third for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump fared somewhat lower, pinch 29% expressing a favorable opinion.

Many respondents stressed that being Jewish does not automatically mean supporting each Israeli authorities policy. Roughly 4 successful 10 said nan United States is excessively supportive of Israel, while astir 3 successful 10 judge it is not supportive enough. A akin stock said nan U.S. is not doing capable to support Palestinians.

For Levin, nan statement has go profoundly personal.

"Jews and Israel are connected, but they're not synonyms," she said, arguing that misunderstanding that favoritism has fueled rising antisemitism.

She recalled precocious seeing graffiti reference "Death to Zionists" alongside a Hamas-associated awesome successful Los Angeles.

Despite emotion alienated by parts of nan Democratic Party, Levin said voting Republican is not an option.

"I mostly shingle my caput a batch and effort to breathe," she said.