AJC Fall 2010 Survey

The Fall 2010 Survey was conducted by telephone for the American Jewish Committee by Synovate, a leading survey-research organization. Interviewing began on August 31, 2010, and continued until October 5, 2010; no interviewing took place on the Sabbath or the Jewish holidays. The 800 respondents were selected from members of Synovate’s Consumer Opinion Panel that have identified themselves as being Jewish and supplemented from a list of American Jews. Synovate’s Consumer Opinion Panel consists of households who have been recruited and agreed to participate in surveys for Synovate. The interviewing took place to insure a demographic cross-section of the United States adult Jewish population.

A. Obama Administration

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama has handled his job as President?

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama has handled each of the following?

Approve

Disapprove

Not sure

A. The economy

B. Health care

C. Homeland security

D. Gulf oil spill

3. A new law in Arizona gives police the power to ask people they’ve stopped to verify their residency status. Supporters say this will help crack down on illegal immigration. Opponents say it could violate civil rights and lead to racial profiling. On balance, do you support or oppose this law?

Support	52
Oppose	46
Not Sure	2

4. How would you characterize relations between Israel and the United States today? Are they very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative, or very negative?

Very positive	7
Somewhat positive	61
Somewhat negative	26
Very negative	5
Not Sure	1

5. Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama Administration’s handling of U.S. -Israel relations?

6. Do you approve or disapprove of the Netanyahu government’s handling of Israel-U.S. relations?

7. Are you planning to vote in the 2010 Congressional elections?

Yes	92
No	6
Not Sure	2

8. Do you think the country would be better off if the Republicans controlled Congress, or if the Democrats controlled Congress?

9. Thinking ahead to the November 2010 congressional elections, how important will each of the following issues be to your vote?

Very Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Not Sure

The economy

The Gulf Coast oil spill

The wars in Iraq/Afghanistan

Health care

Israel

Unemployment

Energy policy

Immigration

Foreign policy

Financial reform

B. Arab-Israel Conflict

10. As compared with one year ago, are you more or less optimistic about the chance for a lasting peace between Israel and the Arabs, or do you think the chance for a lasting peace is about the same as it was one year ago?

More optimistic	8
Less optimistic	18
Same as one year ago	75
Not sure	1

11. In the current situation, do you favor or oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state?

Favor	48
Oppose	45
Not sure	6

12. In the framework of a permanent peace with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to compromise on the status of Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli jurisdiction?

Yes	35
No	60
Not sure	5

13. As part of a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to dismantle all, some, or none of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank?

All	6
Some	56
None	37
Not sure	2

14. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “The goal of the Arabs is not the return of occupied territories but rather the destruction of Israel.”

Agree	76
Disagree	20
Not sure	4

15. Do you think that Israel can or cannot achieve peace with a Hamas-led Palestinian government?

Can	14
Cannot	82
Not sure	4

16. Should the Palestinians be required or not be required to recognize Israel as a Jewish state in a final peace agreement?

Required	95
Not required	3
Not sure	2

C. International Issues

17. Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama Administration’s handling of the Iran nuclear issue?

18. How much of a chance do you think there is that a combination of diplomacy and sanctions can stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons? Is there a good chance, some chance, little chance, or no chance?

Good chance	4
Some chance	23
Little chance	44
No chance	28
Not sure	1

19. If diplomacy and sanctions fail, would you support or oppose the United States taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?

20. If diplomacy and sanctions fail, would you support or oppose Israel taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?

21. Do you think the United States is winning or losing the war in Iraq?

Winning	41
Losing	47
Not sure	12

22. Do you think the United States is winning or losing the war in Afghanistan?

Winning	25
Losing	64
Not sure	11

23. Do you think the Turkish government today is or is not a friend of the United States?

Is a friend	35
Is not a friend	50
Not sure	15

24. Do you think the Turkish government today is or is not a friend of Israel?

Is a friend	16
Is not a friend	71
Not sure	13

D. Background Factors

25. In politics as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?

Republican	17
Democrat	48
Independent	34
Not sure	1

26. I am going to read you a list of political views that people might hold. They range from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Where would you place yourself on this scale?

Extremely liberal	6
Liberal	22
Slightly liberal	14
Moderate, middle of the road	28
Slightly conservative	12
Conservative	13
Extremely conservative	3
Not sure	2

27. Do you think of yourself as...

Orthodox	9
Conservative	22
Reform	28
Reconstructionist	2
Just Jewish	38
Not sure	1

28. How important would you say being Jewish is in your own life?

Very important	51
Fairly important	33
Not very important	16
Not sure	1

29. How close do you feel to Israel?

Very close	29
Fairfly close	40
Fairly distant	23
Very distant	7
Not sure	1