The State of Antisemitism in America 2021: Comparing American Jews and the General Public

A comparison of the State of Antisemitism in America 2021: Survey of American Jews and The State of Antisemitism in America 2021: Survey of the General Public.

The State of Antisemitism in America 2021: Survey of American Jews, conducted by the research company SSRS on behalf of American Jewish Committee (AJC), is based on interviews conducted by telephone and online from September 1 – October 3, 2021, among a nationally representative sample of 1,433 Jews aged 18 or older. Telephone interviews were conducted via SSRS Omnibus callback sample^[1], and online interviews were conducted via the SSRS Opinion Panel^[2] as well as a partner probability panel. The margin of error for total Jewish adult respondents is +/-3.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

AJC’s 2021 Survey of the General Public on Antisemitism, conducted by the research company SSRS, is based on interviews with U.S. adults were conducted from September 9 – September 22, 2021, among a nationally representative sample of 1,214 respondents age 18 and older via the SSRS Opinion Panel^[2]. The margin of error for total U.S. adult respondents is +/-3.9 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. AJC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective office.

*Please note: certain sums may not total 100% due to rounding.^[3]

<< Download a copy of the 2021 results here >>

1.	How much of a problem, if at all, do you think antisemitism is in the United States today?

American Jews

A very serious problem	40%
Somewhat of a problem	50%
Not much of a problem	8%
Not a problem at all	2%

General Public

A very serious problem	21%
Somewhat of a problem	39%
Not much of a problem	21%
Not a problem at all	4%
Not sure	15%

	American Jews	General Public
A problem	90%	60%
Not a problem	10%	25%
Don’t know/ refused	--	15%

 

2.	Over the past five years, do you think that antisemitism in the United States has…

American Jews

Increased a lot	37%
Increased somewhat	45%
Stayed the same	14%
Decreased a little	2%
Decreased a lot	1%

General Public

Increased a lot	13%
Increased somewhat	31%
Stayed the same	22%
Decreased a little	11%
Decreased a lot	4%
Not sure	19%

	American Jews	General Public
Increased	82%	44%
Stayed the same	14%	22%
Decreased	3%	15%
Not sure	--	19%

 

3.	How much, if anything, have you heard about Jews being attacked in the United States and around the world in May 2021 during the conflict between Israel and Hamas?

American Jews

A lot	28%
Some	43%
Not much	21%
Nothing at all	7%
Don't know/ refused	1%

General Public

A lot	11%
Some	37%
Not much	30%
Nothing at all	23%

	American Jews	General Public
A lot/ some	71%	48%
Not much/ nothing at all	28%	53%
Don't know/ refused	1%	0%

 

4.	In your opinion, is antisemitism taken more seriously, less seriously, or is it considered to be the same as other forms of hate and bigotry?

American Jews

More seriously	16%
Less seriously	46%
Considered to be the same	37%
Don’t know/ refused	1%

General Public

More seriously	15%
Less seriously	38%
Considered to be the same	47%

	American Jews	General Public
More seriously	16%	15%
Less seriously	46%	38%
Considered to be the same	37%	47%
Don’t know/ refused	1%	--

 

5a.	How familiar are you with the BDS movement?

American Jews

Very familiar	23%
Somewhat familiar	36%
Not too familiar	15%
Not at all familiar	26%

General Public

Very familiar	4%
Somewhat familiar	17%
Not too familiar	27%
Not at all familiar	52%

	American Jews	General Public
Very/somewhat familiar	59%	21%
Not too/not at all familiar	41%	79%

 

5b.	Do you view the BDS movement as antisemitic?

American Jews

Antisemitic	40%
Some antisemitic supporters	42%
Not antisemitic	15%
Don't know/ refused	3%

General Public

Mostly antisemitic	30%
Some antisemitic supporters	33%
Not antisemitic	13%
Don't know/ refused	25%

	American Jews	General Public
Mostly antisemitic/ some antisemitic supporters	82%	63%
Not antisemitic	15%	13%
Don’t know/ refused	3%	25%

*Asked of American Jews and general public participants who expressed some familiarity with the BDS movement.

 

6a.	Do you view the statement, “Israel has no right to exist,” as antisemitic or not?

American Jews

Yes, antisemitic	81%
No, not antisemitic	19%

General Public

Yes, antisemitic	85%
No, not antisemitic	15%

	American Jews	General Public
Antisemitic	81%	85%
Not antisemitic	19%	15%

 

6b.	Do you view the statement, “American Jews are loyal to Israel and disloyal to America,” as antisemitic or not?

American Jews

Yes, antisemitic	85%
No, not antisemitic	14%

General Public

Yes, antisemitic	73%
No, not antisemitic	27%

	American Jews	General Public
Antisemitic	85%	73%
Not antisemitic	14%	27%

 

6c.	Do you view the statement, “The Holocaust has been exaggerated,” as antisemitic or not?

American Jews

Yes, antisemitic	94%
No, not antisemitic	6%

General Public

Yes, antisemitic	82%
No, not antisemitic	18%

	American Jews	General Public
Antisemitic	94%	82%
Not antisemitic	6%	18%

 

 

 

View More:

• To see the full results from the State of Antisemitism in America 2021: Survey of American Jews, click here.

• To see the full results from the State of Antisemitism in America 2021: AJC's Survey of the General Public, click here.

<< Download a copy of the 2021 results here >>

 

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^[1] This was prescreened sample from our Omnibus survey, which is a national, weekly dual-frame bilingual telephone survey designed to meet standards of quality associated with custom research studies. Similar to previous surveys, we included sample where someone in the household had been identified as Jewish in a previous Omnibus survey.

^[2] SSRS Opinion Panel members are recruited randomly based on nationally representative ABS (Address Based Sample) design (including Hawaii and Alaska). Additionally, we recruit hard-to-reach demographic groups via our Omnibus survey platform. For more information: https://ssrs.com/opinion-panel/.

^[3] Comprehensive and precise data available upon request.