Israel Matzav

The approval gap

American Jews have been asked what they think of President Obama's and Prime Minister Netanyahu's respective handling of the US - Israel relationship. In March, the results of that poll were narrowly in Netanyahu's favor. Now, that gap has widened significantly. It's almost a chasm.

Some 49 percent of U.S. Jews approved of the Obama administration’s handling of U.S.-Israel relations, according to a just-completed American Jewish Committee survey, the fall 2010 Survey of American Jewish Opinion, and 45 percent disapproved.

An AJC survey conducted in March gave Obama a 55 percent approval rating to 37 percent disapproval.

It was the first time the AJC commissioned two surveys in the same calendar year.

In contrast, the view of how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is handling U.S.-Israel relations has improved. Some 62 percent of American Jews approved and 27 percent disapproved, according to the new survey. In March, 57 percent approved and 30 percent disapproved.

Overall approval of Obama’s performance as president dropped to 51 percent, from 57 percent in March. Obama captured 78 percent of the Jewish vote in the presidential election two years ago.

American Jewish confidence in Obama's approach to Iran also has fallen, with 43 percent approving of the administration's handling of the Iran nuclear issue compared to 47 percent in March. Some 46 percent disapproved, up from 42 percent. Some 59 percent supported and 35 percent opposed U.S. military action to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Some 70 percent supported and some 26 opposed Israeli military action.

Are American Jews waking up enough to support a Republican in 2012?

More detailed survey results here.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:35 AM