Poll: Most US Jews with strong link to Israel, Judaism see Israel as safest for Jews

Two-thirds of American Jews who have a strong connection to Judaism or Israel view Israel as the safest place in the world for Jews, according to a survey published today by the Jewish People Policy Institute.

The survey, conducted January 15-20, sampled 710 American Jews from JPPI’s database. JPPI says the group “does not constitute a representative sample of the entire US Jewish population” and “consists predominantly of those with a relatively strong connection to Jewish identity, and/or Jewish institutions, and/or Israel.”

The survey finds that 68% of those surveyed agree that Israel is the safest place for Jews to live, up about five percentage points from last year. The end of Israel’s war in Gaza and growing antisemitism were the main reasons given, the survey said.

Perceptions vary by religious affiliation among respondents. Agreement is highest among Orthodox Jewish respondents (91%) and Haredi respondents (78%), followed by Conservative respondents (74%). It is lower among Reform respondents (62%) and those without a denominational affiliation (64%).

But only about 8% of those surveyed say they are currently considering immigrating to Israel. Far more say they might under certain conditions. Some 12% say they would consider it at some point in the future, 35% would do so under specific circumstances, and 27% would do so in extreme circumstances. About 13% said they would not consider moving to Israel under any conditions.

Forty percent of respondents cited antisemitism as the primary reason for considering immigration, the survey finds.

Most respondents said they personally know Jews who have moved to Israel, and more than 70% believe those acquaintances are satisfied with their decision, JPPI says.