According to a recent national poll conducted by the nonpartisan Jewish Electorate Institute, Jewish voters overwhelmingly endorse President Joe Biden’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict and believe he is better equipped than former President Donald Trump to combat rising antisemitism.
The survey, conducted from Nov. 5 to Nov. 9 and based on responses from 800 Jewish voters, revealed that Biden enjoys significantly higher approval ratings among Jewish voters compared to the general U.S. population. While the findings align with the Democratic leanings of most Jewish voters, it underscores a strong sense of trust in Biden’s stance on Israel.
A remarkable 74% of Jewish voters approve of Biden’s handling of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Additionally, 66% express overall approval of Biden’s performance as president. This contrasts sharply with a recent USA TODAY/Suffolk University survey, which pegged Biden’s overall job approval at just 40%.
The poll also indicates substantial support for Biden over Trump, with 68% of Jewish voters favoring the current president. This figure is slightly lower than the 74% who voted for Biden in the 2020 election.
Jim Gerstein of GBAO Strategies, the firm conducting the poll, emphasized the exceptional backing for Biden and suggested that Trump’s unpopularity among Jewish voters plays a significant role in these results. Gerstein anticipates this support for Biden to grow as the 2024 election approaches.
The survey identified a notable decline in support for Trump among Jewish voters, dropping to 22%, an 8-point decrease compared to pre-2020 election polls. Sam Markstein, national political director for the Republican Jewish Coalition, expressed confidence that these results do not predict the November 2024 outcome. Markstein pointed out Trump’s previous success with Jewish voters, securing 24% in 2016 and over 30% in 2020.
Biden’s strongest support comes from reform Jews and those not affiliated with any specific denomination, constituting the largest voting blocs within the Jewish population. Orthodox Jews, comprising the only group not favoring Biden, show a 22% approval rating.
Interestingly, Orthodox Jews, despite their lower overall approval for Biden, were among the most likely to approve of his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Younger voters were less likely than older generations to approve, yet they overwhelmingly support Biden over Trump.
The poll delved into specific actions taken by Biden in support of Israel during the conflict. Over 80% of Jewish voters approved of Biden’s actions, including visiting Israel, dispatching aircraft carriers to the East Mediterranean Sea, and having senior American officials attend Israeli war cabinet meetings. Additionally, 80% supported Biden’s $14.5 billion request to Congress for military aid to Israel, while 68% endorsed U.S. calls for a humanitarian pause in Gaza.
Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, highlighted the bipartisan support for these actions, emphasizing that Jewish voters closely follow and understand these critical issues.
