Poll: 40 % of non-religious US Jews accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza

A poll by the Associated Press and the NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research has found growing divisions within the US Jewish community over Israel and the war in Gaza. The survey showed that around a quarter of American Jews believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, while the gap between religious and non-religious Jews in their views on the war and Israel has widened significantly.

The report’s authors, David Crary, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux and Peter Smith, said the war in Gaza, which began after the 7 October 2023 attack, has become the main factor deepening divisions within American Jewish communities. They said the differences between religious and non-religious Jews are now greater than at any time in recent years.

The poll found that support for Israel remains a central part of the identity of most religious Jews, who see the country’s existence as essential to Jewish self-determination and security. By contrast, Jews who identify themselves primarily through their cultural, ethnic or family background rather than religion are more likely to take a more critical view of Israeli policies in Gaza.

Among non-religious Jews, about 40 per cent said they believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, according to the survey.