Poll: 49% of US Adults Consider Antisemitism a 'Very Serious Problem'

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Facts

  • A survey from Gallup released on July 1 finds that 49% of Americans consider antisemitism to be a 'very serious problem,' up from 9% of the population that thought the same in 2003.1
  • In total, 81% of Americans believe that antisemitism is a 'somewhat' or 'very serious' problem. 74% felt the same regarding Islamophobia, as antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents have increased in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and their subsequent war in Gaza.2
  • 33% of respondents considered Islamophobia to be a 'very serious' problem, with Democrats being more likely to consider anti-Muslim prejudice a problem. Republicans were more likely to view antisemitism as a great concern.3
  • Age was also a factor in the perceptions of antisemitism, with 66% of those over 65 years of age saying that antisemitism was a very serious problem, compared to 36% of those between the ages of 18 and 49.1
  • A separate poll from Gallup also found that 11% and 25% of Jewish Americans were 'treated poorly or harassed' frequently or occasionally, respectively. 60% of American Jews reported feeling uncomfortable sharing their religious status with others, compared to 25% of the general public.4
  • A new Gallup poll released today also shows that 48% of Americans disapprove of Israel's military conduct in Gaza, down seven points from March, while 42% now approve. 76% of Republicans, 34% of independents, and 23% of Democrats approve of Israel's military response.5

Sources: 1Gallup.com (a), 2The Hill, 3Newsweek, 4The Forward and 5Gallup.com (b).

Narratives

  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by The New Republic. Supporters of Israel's campaign of terror in Gaza have often cynically used the media to conflate antisemitism with justified criticism of Israel, as peaceful protests against the war in Gaza are routinely mischaracterized by politicians and credulous outlets. Many Jews have stood shoulder to shoulder with those who are criticizing Israel.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Politico. Americans are waking up to the fact that the ugliness of antisemitism has reared its head once again on college campuses and at street protests nationwide. Wittingly or not, Gaza protesters around the world have repeated and spread ancient antisemitic tropes about Jews and spread vitriol against Israel.

Predictions