Large majority of Jewish Americans think Israel and AIPAC drive antisemitism, poll finds
A supermajority of Jewish Americans think Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (Aipac) actions are increasing antisemitism in the US, according to a new poll.
The poll commissioned by J Street, a US-based pro-Israel think tank, shows a deep gap between how Jewish American voters view organisations like Aipac and Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, compared to how the state of Israel and its allies in the US portray antisemitism.
The poll says 66 percent of Jewish voters in the US believe that Aipac’s campaign spending against candidates who criticise Israel actually increases antisemitism in the country.
In addition, 60 percent believe that Jewish organisations that label harsh criticism of Israel as antisemitic are exploiting concerns about antisemitism to defend unpopular Israeli government policies.
Notably, 80 percent of Jewish voters believe that Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza are increasing antisemitism in the US. [Continue reading…]