New Poll of US Jews: Although 75% Supported Gaza Op, 69% Thought Response was "Disproportionate" - Richard Silverstein

The Guardian, March 29, 2009 - J Street has just released its latest poll (full results, analysis) about American Jewish attitudes toward the Israeli-Arab conflict. As usual, it contains some heartening results and some worrisome ones. Perhaps the most important trend noted is that American Jews support a muscular US policy that actively encourages the warring parties to resolve their differences through negotiation....

Sixty-nine percent would support Israeli and American engagement with a Palestinian unity government, even if it included Hamas. This is an especially important finding – both because Palestinians are right now earnestly negotiating towards this goal in Egypt, and because the recent budget bill passed by Congress contains some truly bizarre, draconian provisions that would outlaw any US involvement with a Palestinian government that did include Hamas....What is important to note here is how completely off the reservation congressional Democrats have gone in accommodating the Aipac holy warriors.

Sixty-nine percent of Jews reject Avigdor Lieberman's call for loyalty oaths for Israeli Arabs, as well as his more bellicose anti-Arab positions like support for killing Knesset members who back Hamas. But surprisingly only 29% had an unfavourable view of him, while 27% had a favourable view.

American Jews reject the contention of many pro-Israel hard-liners that public disagreement with Israeli policy is not acceptable for Jews. Fifty-eight percent disagree....

Seventy-five percent of Jews supported Israel and its invasion of Gaza. An earlier Pew study found that 55% of Democrats opposed the Gaza war – which means there is a real split between Jews and Americans when it comes to such matters. The difference in levels of Israeli and diaspora war support is significant, though I am disappointed there wasn't more opposition here and in Israel....

Forty-one percent of Jews believe the Gaza war did nothing to increase Israel's security and 18% believe it harmed it. Forty-one percent believe it made Israel more secure....

Despite my disappointment at the numbers supporting the Gaza war, 69% believe Israel's response to Hamas rockets was "disproportionate". Fifty-six percent believe Israeli military actions that involve killing civilians "create more terrorism". Sixty-five percent believe that Israel's siege against Gaza and the notion of collective punishment is wrong....

Richard Silverstein writes Tikun Olam, a blog dedicated to resolution of the Israeli-Arab conflict. He also contributed to the Independent Jewish Voices essay collection A Time to Speak Out.