Israeli Jews believe they share a fate with Diaspora, poll finds

Over 70% say Israeli government should consider how decisions and policies affect Jews abroad

By JTA 26 June 2014, 5:33 am

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Illustrative: Young Diaspora Jews participating in a Taglit Birthright event at the International Conference Center in Jerusalem in January, 2012. (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/Flash90)

Substantial majorities of Israeli Jews believe they share a fate with Diaspora Jews and that the Israeli government should take into account how its decisions affect the Diaspora.

The poll, released Wednesday and commissioned by the Jewish Media Summit underway in Jerusalem, found that 62 percent of respondents “believe that Jews in Israel and the Diaspora share a common fate, while 35 percent disagree.”

It also found that “71 percent of Israeli Jews think that the Government of Israel, when making important decisions, should take into consideration how the decision will influence the situation of Jews in the Diaspora, while 26 percent do not think it is necessary.”

The poll also found, however, that 60 percent of Israeli Jews consider themselves “a nation separate from the Jews abroad,” while 36 percent disagree.

A large majority, 81 percent, said they were interested in news of Diaspora Jewry, while 18 percent were not interested.