Many American Jews disapprove of Israel’s conduct of the Gaza war, with 61% saying Israel has committed war crimes and about four in 10 saying it is guilty of genocide, according to a poll.
Poll-takers in The Washington Post survey were found to be especially unhappy with the government in Israel, with 68% giving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a negative rating, including 48% rating his leadership as “poor,” a 20% increase from a Pew Research Center poll five years ago.
Jews overwhelmingly blame Hamas for the war, with 94% agreeing that Hamas has committed war crimes against Israel.
Almost half, 46%, approved of Israel’s actions, while 48% opposed. Jews remain more supportive of Israel than other Americans, who garnered a 32% approval rate for Israel’s actions in a July Gallup poll.
Many supported Israel’s military action at first, given the need to respond to Hamas’s brutal attack, the poll found.
However, as the war has dragged on, many have taken back their initial support due to little evident progress and accumulating turmoil in Gaza.
American Jewry maintains strong ties with Israel, Jewish identity
The poll found that many American Jews maintain a strong emotional, cultural, and political bond with Israel and its Jewish identity.
Some 76% reported that Israel’s existence is vital for the future of the Jewish people, and 58% said they have “a lot in common” with Israelis.