New survey data shows a notable increase in awareness of the antisemitism faced by Jews in the United States, with 54% of Americans agreeing that Jews suffer from a significant amount of discrimination today. This figure marks the highest level of acknowledgment since the survey's inception a decade ago in 2013.
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The Survey Center on American Life, part of the American Enterprise Institute, has shed light on the prevailing sentiments surrounding discrimination against the Jewish community in the United States. Its findings reveal a growing understanding of the challenges and prejudice that Jews encounter daily in the country.
Around 82% of Jewish respondents themselves report experiencing "a lot of discrimination" against their community. The overall figure of 54% among the wider American population represents a marked increase from a decade ago when only 32% recognized the extent of discrimination against Jews. The upswing in awareness can be attributed to a rise in public exposure to instances of antisemitism and the pervasive and harmful stereotypes that continue to persist nationwide.
Amid the challenges, the survey also brought forth signs of hope for Jewish Americans, especially among the younger generation. Jewish individuals in the United States exhibit remarkable optimism about their future and the realization of the “American Dream”. A notable 48% of Jewish respondents believe they have already achieved the American Dream in their lifetime, in contrast to only 32% of the broader population. Conversely, merely 14% of Jews expressed doubt in their ability to attain the American Dream, while 36% of Americans held similar reservations.
The survey data also highlighted the enduring positive attitude of Jews towards the United States and its core values. A significant 70% of Jewish respondents considered America the greatest nation in the world, compared to 58% of the general population. Additionally, Jewish Americans expressed greater faith in the power of diversity, with 78% stating that diversity fosters tolerance and changes perspectives, compared to 62% of all Americans.
In a related survey conducted by the Pew Research Institute, despite the ongoing crisis in international relations, a clear majority of Americans still regard Israel as the United States' top ally among non-English-speaking countries.
Out of a representative group of 10,329 Americans, 4% chose Israel as the top ally, with Great Britain in first place with 22% and Canada in second place with 6%. 3% of participants identified Germany as the U.S. top ally, followed closely by China and Japan, each garnering 2% of the votes. The European Union, France, Mexico and Russia each received a mere 1% of support as the U.S.'s primary ally. Surprisingly, 6% said “no country” and a significant portion of the panelists, 48%, either remained uncertain or chose not to answer.
Notably, an overwhelming 94% of those who selected Israel as the top ally emphasized the significance of the defense ties between the two nations, surpassing even the importance attributed to the relationship with Great Britain (86%) and Canada (78%).
Most of those surveyed (79%) who identified Israel as a close ally were self-identified conservative Republicans, while a minority (approximately 1%) identified as liberal Democrats.
Amidst growing concerns over Israel's proposed judicial system reforms, tensions have arisen between the Israeli government and Washington, causing unease among the U.S. Jewish community. The long-standing belief in the vital connection between the two countries based on shared democratic values has been brought into question.