The State of Antisemitism in America 2020: Survey of American Jews, conducted by the research company SSRS, is based on telephone interviews carried out September 9 - October 4, with a national sample of 1,334 Jews over age 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.2%. Find the methodology report here. American Jewish Committee (AJC) is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective office.
This webpage includes comparative information from AJC’s 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
<< Download a copy of the 2020 results here >>
1. |
How much of a problem, if at all, do you think antisemitism is in the United States today? |
| A very serious problem | 37% | |
| Somewhat of a problem | 51% | |
| Not much of a problem | 10% | |
| Not a problem at all | 1% | |
A Problem - 88%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that that 88% of American Jews viewed antisemitism as a problem in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
2. |
Over the past five years, do you think antisemitism in the United States has… |
| Increased a lot | 43% | |
| Increased somewhat | 39% | |
| Stayed the same | 14% | |
| Decreased a little | 2% | |
| Decreased a lot | 1% | |
Increased - 82%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that that 84% of American Jews believed that antisemitism in the U.S. had increased in the last five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
3. |
Compared to a year ago, is the status of Jews in the United States more secure or less secure? |
| More secure than a year ago | 4% | |
| Less secure than a year ago | 43% | |
| About the same as a year ago | 52% | |
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 42 percent of American Jews thought that the status of Jews in the U.S. was less secure than the year before. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
4a. |
Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic physical attack? |
| Yes, one time | ||
| Yes, more than one time | ||
| No | 97% | |
Yes - 3%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that two percent of American Jews had been the target of an antisemitic physical attack over the previous five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
4b. |
Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone? |
| Yes, one time | ||
| Yes, more than one time | ||
| No | 75% | |
Yes - 25%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 23% of American Jews had been the target of an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone over the previous five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
4c. |
Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic remark online or through social media? |
| Yes, one time | ||
| Yes, more than one time | ||
| No | 77% | |
Yes - 22%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 20% of American Jews had been the target of an antisemitic remark antisemitic remark online or through social media over the previous five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
4d. |
Over the past five years, have you been the target of an antisemitic physical attack, an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone, or an antisemitic remark online or through social media? |
| Yes | 37% | |
| Not a target/Don’t know | 63% | |
5a. |
Over the past five years, if you, yourself, were the target of an antisemitic attack or remark, did you report this incident or any of these incidents? |
| Yes, to the police | ||
| Yes, to the news media | ||
| Yes, to a Jewish organization | ||
| Yes, through social media | ||
| No, I did not report it | 76% | |
Total reported incident - 28%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that of those who were the target of an antisemitic incident or remark over the previous five year, 26% of American Jews reported the incident, while 75% did not. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
5b. |
On which social media platform(s) were you the target of an antisemitic attack or remark? |
62% | ||
33% | ||
| Youtube | ||
| Snapchat | ||
| TikTok | ||
| Some other platform | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
5c. |
Did the social media or online service you reported the incident to take any steps to respond to your report? |
| Yes | 53% | |
| No | 46% | |
6. |
Over the past five years, have you or anyone you know experienced antisemitism on a college campus? |
| Yes, you personally | ||
| Yes, someone you know | ||
| Yes, both myself and someone I know | ||
| No | 76% | |
| Don’t know/refused | ||
Yes - 22%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that over the previous five years 19% of American Jews either experienced antisemitism themselves on a college campus or knew someone who did. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
7. |
Do you ever avoid certain places, events, or situations out of concern for your safety or comfort as a Jew? |
| Yes, always | ||
| Yes, frequently | ||
| Yes, sometimes | ||
| No, never | 68% | |
Yes - 31%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 25% of American Jews avoid certain places, events, or situations out of concern for their safety or comfort as a Jew. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
8a. |
Have you avoided visiting Jewish institutions or participating in Jewish events because you would not feel safe there? |
| Yes | ||
| No | 90% | |
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 5% of American Jews avoided visiting Jewish institutions or participating in Jewish events because they would not feel safe there. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
8b. |
Over the past two years, have you avoided publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying things that might help people identify you as a Jew? |
| Yes | 24% | |
| No | 76% | |
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that over the past five years, 31% of American Jews avoided publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying things that might help people identify them as a Jew. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
8c. |
Have you avoided posting content online that would identify you as a Jew or reveal your views on Jewish issues? |
| Yes | 24% | |
| No | 75% | |
9a. |
Have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated been targets of antisemitism? |
| Antisemitic graffiti | ||
| Antisemitic attacks | ||
| Antisemitic threats | ||
| None of these | 59% | |
| Not affiliated with any Jewish institutions | ||
| Don’t know | ||
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 33% of American Jews reported that the Jewish institution with which they are affiliated have been a target of antisemitism. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
9b. |
In response to the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, have any of the Jewish institutions you are affiliated with increased security measures or is security about the same? |
| Increased | 56% | |
| About the same | 32% | |
| Not affiliated | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
10a. |
To what extent, if at all, do you think the Democratic Party holds antisemitic views? |
| A lot | ||
| Some | 26% | |
| Not much | 32% | |
| Not at all | 29% | |
| Don't know/refused | ||
| AJC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective offices. |
A lot/Some - 37%
|
10b. |
To what extent, if at all, do you think the Republican Party holds antisemitic views? |
| A lot | 27% | |
| Some | 42% | |
| Not much | ||
| Not at all | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
| AJC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective offices. |
A lot/Some - 69%
|
11a. |
In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does the extreme political right represent in the United States today? |
| Very serious threat | 49% | |
| Moderately serious threat | 26% | |
| Slight threat | 14% | |
| No threat at all | ||
| Don’t know/refused | 3% | |
| AJC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective offices. |
A threat - 89%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 89% of American Jews believed that the extreme political right represents an antisemitic threat in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
11b. |
In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does the extreme political left represent in the United States today? |
| Very serious threat | ||
| Moderately serious threat | ||
| Slight threat | 29% | |
| No threat at all | 36% | |
| Don’t know/refused | 3% | |
| AJC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective offices. |
A threat - 61%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 64% of American Jews believed that the extreme political left represents an antisemitic threat in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
11c. |
In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does extremism in the name of Islam represent in the United States today? |
| Very serious threat | 27% | |
| Moderately serious threat | 26% | |
| Slight threat | 32% | |
| No threat at all | ||
| Don’t know/refused | 2% | |
A threat - 85%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 85% of American Jews believed extremism in the name of Islam represents an antisemitic threat in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
12. |
How effective do you think law enforcement is in responding to the security needs of Jews? |
| Very effective | 22% | |
| Somewhat effective | 56% | |
| Not too effective | 14% | |
| Not at all effective | 5% | |
| Don't know/refused | 3% | |
Effective - 78%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 81% of American Jews believed law enforcement to be effective in responding to the security needs of Jews. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
13a. |
How familiar are you with the BDS movement? |
| Very familiar | ||
| Somewhat familiar | 36% | |
| Not too familiar | ||
| Not at all familiar | ||
Familiar - 61%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 26% of American Jews were very familiar with the BDS movement, 36% were somewhat familiar, 14% were not too familiar, and 24% not all familiar. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
13b. |
Do you view the BDS movement as antisemitic? |
| Mostly antisemitic | 37% | |
| Some antisemitic supporters | 43% | |
| Not antisemitic | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
Mostly antisemitic/has antisemitic supporters - 80%
|
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 35% of American Jews view the BDS movement as antisemitic, 47% said some supporters of it were antisemitic, 14% said it was not antisemitic, and 4% did not know. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
14a. |
Do you view the statement, “Israel has no right to exist,” as antisemitic or not? |
| Yes, antisemitic | 85% | |
| No, not antisemitic | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 84% of American Jews viewed the statement, “Israel has no right to exist,” as antisemitic. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
14b. |
Do you view the statement, “The U.S. government only supports Israel because of Jewish money,” as antisemitic or not? |
| Yes, antisemitic | 84% | |
| No, not antisemitic | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 80% of American Jews viewed the statement, “The U.S. government only supports Israel because of Jewish money,” as antisemitic. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
14c. |
Do you view the statement, “American Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America,” as antisemitic or not? |
| Yes, antisemitic | 76% | |
| No, not antisemitic | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 73% of American Jews viewed the statement, “American Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America,” as antisemitic. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.
15a. |
How much do you know about the Holocaust? |
| A lot | 84% | |
| Some | ||
| Not much | ||
| Not at all | ||
15b. |
How important do you think it is for schools to teach middle and high school students the history of the Holocaust? |
| Very important | 91% | |
| Somewhat important | 8% | |
| Not too important | ||
| Not at all important | ||
| Don't know/refused | ||
View More:
To see how results from this survey compare to results from the State of Antisemitism in America 2020: AJC's Survey of the General Public, click here.
To see results from the State of Antisemitism in America 2020: AJC's Survey of the General Public, click here.
<< Download a copy of the 2020 results here >>
