Most US Jews say anti-Zionism and campus protests are antisemitic — poll

The majority of US Jews believe that anti-Zionist movements and anti-Israel university protests are antisemitic, according to a poll released today.

The survey by the Jewish Majority, a newly-formed research and advocacy group, found that 70% of American Jews believe anti-Zionism is antisemitic by definition.

Three-quarters say last year’s anti-Israel campus protests were antisemitic. A majority oppose protest tactics, including blocking traffic, protesting the homes of government officials, and wearing masks to conceal identity.

The polling company frames the results as a rejection of policies and tactics by the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace.

The survey also finds widespread support for, or membership in, mainstream US Jewish groups. For the Anti-Defamation League, 79% are supportive or members; 79% also back the Jewish National Fund; 74% for the American Jewish Committee; and 73% for the Jewish Federations of North America.

A majority — 71% — say that, for an organization to speak for American Jews, it must be almost entirely made up of Jews.

The poll is conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, a research firm in Virginia, on behalf of the Jewish Majority.

The researchers say they polled 800 Jewish adults in December and that the margin of error is 3.95%.