As the Gaza war enters its seventh month, a new survey reveals that American Jews are grappling with a profound sense of unease, both personally and in their relationship with Israel.
The poll, conducted by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), found that 62% of US Jews say the war is affecting them “a great deal” emotionally, up from 57% in October when the war broke out. It stands in stark contrast to the general American public, with over 50% reporting little to no emotional impact from the ongoing hostilities.
Moreover, while the vast majority of American Jews still feel a strong connection to Israel, 29% say they are uncomfortable expressing this support publicly, primarily due to concerns about antisemitism. When asked to provide examples, some US Jews stated they have started hiding distinctive Jewish symbols like yarmulkes and Stars of David, fearing antisemitic targeting.
“The survey underscores the deep emotional toll that the prolonged conflict is having on the American Jewish community,” said JFNA CEO Eric Fingerhut in a statement following the survey’s release on Thursday. “Despite the unrelenting and often biased media coverage, American Jews remain steadfast in their support for Israel, even as they grapple with the war’s personal and communal impact.”
The JFNA survey was conducted on 1,901 American Jews and 4,143 non-Jewish Americans from Feb. 23 through March 11.
