Poll reveals Jewish Americans view Aipac and Israel as drivers of antisemitism

A recent survey commissioned by J Street, a US-based pro-Israel organization, suggests that a supermajority of Jewish Americans believe that the actions of the State of Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee are increasing antisemitism in the United States. The findings highlight a significant disconnect between the public narrative regarding Jewish political alignment and the actual views held by Jewish voters on issues such as the occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The poll, conducted by GBAO Strategies, found that 66 percent of Jewish voters believe that Aipac’s campaign spending against candidates who criticize Israel actually exacerbates antisentiment within the country. Furthermore, 60 percent of respondents felt that Jewish organizations which label harsh criticism of Israel as antisemitism are often exploiting these concerns to shield unpopular policies of the Israeli government. The most striking finding was that 80 percent of Jewish voters believe that Israel’s specific actions in the occupied territories are a primary driver of antisemitism in the US.

Jim Gerstein, the founding partner of GBAO Strategies, noted that conventional wisdom about Jewish political concerns often fails to capture the nuance of how the community processes these issues. The survey was fielded between October 28 and November 3, 2026, just before the recent midterm elections. Gerstein observed that while media coverage often presents a monolithic view of the Jewish community, the data reveals a more complex and varied set of opinions among voters.

The results align with the outcome of the recent US midterm elections, which saw a sweeping victory for the Democratic party. US support for Israel and the war in Iran played central roles in several key races, including the contest in Michigan. In that state, Democratic Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed secured a historic landslide victory over Mike Rogers, a Republican candidate supported by Aipac. El-Sayed campaigned on a platform that included cutting US aid to Israel and other Middle Eastern nations, and he condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza.

According to a separate poll by Mercury Public Affairs, El-Sayed won the support of 60 percent of early Jewish voters in Michigan. The GBAO Strategies survey also examined public perception of political figures, finding that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani holds a favorability rating of 49 percent among Jewish Americans. This stands in contrast to the 20 percent favorability rating held by outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite Mamdani having previously faced accusations of antisemitism.

Overall, the survey indicated that 72 percent of Jewish voters supported Democratic candidates in the recent elections. Additionally, 76 percent of respondents expressed support for sanctions against what the poll described as violent West Bank settlers. These figures suggest a strong preference for political accountability and specific policy measures regarding the Israeli government.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street, stated that the poll results challenge common stereotypes about the political demands of Jewish voters. He argued that the community has been treated as a political tool during the election cycle, with many politicians insisting that Jewish Americans demand unconditional support for the Israeli government. Ben-Ami said the data tells a different story, showing that Jewish voters overwhelmingly backed Democrats and opposed President Trump.

Ben-Ami added that Jewish voters support holding the Israeli government accountable for its actions rather than granting it a free pass. He emphasized that the community is looking for American leadership that advances peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, rejecting the notion that supporting Israel requires ignoring the actions of its government.