Poll Shows Deep Divisions Between Israelis and American Jews

YERUSHALAYIM (AP) —

An opinion poll published Sunday shows deep divisions between Israelis and American Jews, particularly in relation to President Donald Trump, highlighting the growing rift between the world’s two largest Jewish communities.

The survey of the American Jewish Committee showed 77 percent of Israelis approved of the president’s handling of U.S.-Israel relations, while only 34 percent of American Jews did. Fifty-seven percent of U.S. Jews disapproved, while only 10 percent of Israelis did.

Eighty-five percent of Israelis supported the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Yerushalayim, while only 46 percent of American Jews did.

The AJC surveyed 1,000 Israelis and Americans and had a margin of error of 3.1 and 3.9 percent, respectively.

The survey was released ahead of the opening of the AJC Global Forum in Yerushalayim, which Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will address later Sunday.

Mr. Netanyahu has forged a close bond with Mr. Trump, and their tough policies toward the Palestinians have strong support in Israel and among its Republican backers in the U.S. But most American Jews are Democrats who are highly critical of Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu. Experts have been warning for years that the two communities are drifting in opposite directions politically, undermining the kinship between the two groups, which make up the vast majority of Jews in the world.

The poll showed 59 percent of Americans favoring the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel but only 44 percent of Israelis supporting the idea.

The communities share similar views on the importance of good ties between the “extended family.” But they differ greatly on matters of religion and state. Most American Jews identify as either Reform or Conservative, which have a very small foothold in Israel.

On one of the most contentious issues, regarding a mixed-gender prayer area next to the Kosel, 73 percent of American Jews express support, compared to just 42 percent of Israelis.

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