Luntz/CAMERA Poll Affirms Strong American Jewish Support for Israel

For release Sunday May 22, 2011

Contact: Andrea Levin 617-789-3672 or 617-512-0412
Alex Safian 617-789-3672

BOSTON – A poll of more than 1000 American Jews conducted by Frank Luntz,
PhD of Luntz Global on behalf of CAMERA, the 65,000 member Committee for
Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, May 16-17 finds continuing,
deep support for Israel. Results show strong belief in Israel's commitment
to peace efforts and apprehension about its existential situation and its
Palestinian adversaries with their “culture of hatred.” Survey respondents
also expressed strong support for Israel's right to self-defense and
opposition to those who would pressure or sanction the Jewish state. (The
poll is attached to this e-mail.)
“The poll results dramatically contradict recent speculation about
disaffection among American Jews toward the Jewish state,” said CAMERA
Executive Director Andrea Levin. “Ninety-four percent of respondents said if
Israel ‘no longer existed tomorrow' it would be a tragedy. Nearly one in
four said they would consider such an event ‘the biggest tragedy of my
lifetime.' The concern is reflected in emphatic sentiment (85%) that Israel
‘is right to take threats to its existence seriously,' that Israel's
concerns are neither ‘irrational' nor ‘overstated.'”

“Some news media accounts have tended to amplify a vocal fringe in the
American Jewish community that espouses extreme views and policies far out
of the mainstream. This poll clarifies what American Jews actually feel and
believe,” said Levin.

She added, “The overwhelming majority of American Jews are cognizant of
threats to Israel, protective of the country, cautious about risks and
strongly opposed to such measures as boycotts, including boycotts of
settlements.”

American Jews expressed strong belief the Israeli government (84%) and its
people (85%) are committed to establishing genuine peace between Israel and
the Palestinian people. At the same time, respondents were far more
skeptical of the Palestinian commitment and consider Palestinian incitement
against Israel – its “culture of hatred” – to be a major obstacle to peace
(77%), far more so than settlements (12%) or “occupation” (12%).

Fully 78% of respondents consider it “very to 100% necessary” for
Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, with an additional 12%
considering it “somewhat necessary.” This mirrors the position of the
Israeli government that such acknowledgment is important as a measure of
Palestinian willingness to coexist with a sovereign Jewish nation.

Reflecting apprehension about the creation of a Palestinian state in the
West Bank, more than two-thirds of respondents fear such a state would
shortly “attack Israel” and 72% fear Iran would support “more terror”
against Israel by the Palestinians.

The new PA-Hamas coalition also evokes strong concern, with 77% saying
Israel should “refuse to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority until
Hamas renounces terrorism and officially recognizes Israel's right to
exist.”

Reflecting an awareness that more than a million Arabs live in Israel, 9 out
of 10 American Jews strongly support the view (92%) that Jews should be
allowed to live in any future Palestinian state.

On matters having to do with congressional support for Israel, 81% of
American Jews say they would be more likely to vote for a representative who
signed a letter deploring Palestinian incitement.

In contrast, there is strong opposition, nearly 3 out of 4 Jews, to actions
such as promoting appearances in Congress by Judge Richard Goldstone, head
of the U.N. panel that falsely accused Israeli forces of targeting civilians
in the Gaza Strip. A fringe of only 5% would support such activity.

Likewise, American Jews strongly oppose (71%) boycott, divestment and
sanction campaigns against Israel, with a nearly equal number (68%) opposing
such action more narrowly focused against settlements.

CAMERA, The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, is a
media-monitoring and educational organization founded in 1982 and based in
Boston, with offices in Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and
Israel.
http://www.camera.org/

May 16-17, 2011 N = 1067

1. What is your gender?

TOTAL
42% MALE
58% FEMALE

2. What is your age?

TOTAL
21% 18-29
26% 30-49
33% 50-64
19% 65+

3. How many days a week do you read or watch national or international
news? If you rarely or never read or watch national or international news,
just put a “0.”

TOTAL
21% 0-3
22% 4-5
9% 6
48% 7
MEAN 5

4. One last demographic question. How many times in the past two years or
so have you either written or emailed an elected official (local, state or
national) about any issue, or attended a political rally of some kind? If
never, just put a “0.”

TOTAL
41% 0
12% 1
26% 2-4
21% 5+
MEAN 5

5. We want to make sure that the population is accurately represented,
which of the following most accurately describes your religious affiliation?

TOTAL
8% ORTHODOX
21% CONSERVATIVE
19% REFORM
1% RECONSTRUCTIONIST
33% JUST JEWISH
17% CULTURALLY JEWISH
- NOT JEWISH
- REFUSE

6. In the upcoming 2012 presidential election, which candidate position is
the most important to you? All of these matter, but which matters most?

TOTAL
37% ECONOMY AND JOBS
13% SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
13% DEBT, DEFICIT, AND THE BUDGET
11% HEALTH CARE
7% HOMELAND SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
6% ISRAEL
5% THE CHARACTER OF THE NOMINEES
3% TAXES
3% ABORTION
1% IRAN
2% NONE OF THE ABOVE

6/7. (COMBINED ANSWERS) In the upcoming 2012 presidential election, which
candidate position is the most important to you? All of these matter, but
which matters most? And what is the second most important to you?

TOTAL
56% ECONOMY AND JOBS
30% HEALTH CARE
27% DEBT, DEFICIT, AND THE BUDGET
26% SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE
17% HOMELAND SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
12% ISRAEL
12% TAXES
9% THE CHARACTER OF THE NOMINEES
6% ABORTION
2% IRAN
3% NONE OF THE ABOVE

8. If Israel no longer existed tomorrow, I would consider it to be…

TOTAL
24% THE BIGGEST TRAGEDY OF MY LIFETIME
58% A MAJOR TRAGEDY THAT PERSONALLY CONCERNED ME
12% A TRAGEDY THAT DID NOT PERSONALLY CONCERN ME
6% AN UNFORTUNATE OUTCOME BUT NOT THAT IMPORTANT TO
ME AT ALL

Now we will provide you a series of states, groups, organizations, and
leaders. For each please indicate whether you believe they are COMMITTED or
NOT COMMITTED to establishing genuine peace between Israel and the
Palestinian people.

9. The Government of Israel

TOTAL
21% TOTALLY COMMITTED
34% VERY COMMITTED
29% SOMEWHAT COMMITTED
9% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER COMMITTED NOR OPPOSED
7% SOMEWHAT OPPOSED
1% VERY OPPOSED
1% TOTALLY OPPOSED
84% TOTAL COMMITTED
9% TOTAL OPPOSED

10. The Palestinian Authority

TOTAL
2% TOTALLY COMMITTED
1% VERY COMMITTED
17% SOMEWHAT COMMITTED
11% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER COMMITTED NOR OPPOSED
21% SOMEWHAT OPPOSED
21% VERY OPPOSED
20% TOTALLY OPPOSED
20% TOTAL COMMITTED
62% TOTAL OPPOSED

11. Hamas

TOTAL
3% TOTALLY COMMITTED
6% VERY COMMITTED
7% SOMEWHAT COMMITTED
10% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER COMMITTED NOR OPPOSED
9% SOMEWHAT OPPOSED
17% VERY OPPOSED
47% TOTALLY OPPOSED
16% TOTAL COMMITTED
73% TOTAL OPPOSED

12. The Israeli People

TOTAL
15% TOTALLY COMMITTED
40% VERY COMMITTED
30% SOMEWHAT COMMITTED
7% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER COMMITTED NOR OPPOSED
6% SOMEWHAT OPPOSED
1% VERY OPPOSED
1% TOTALLY OPPOSED
85% TOTAL COMMITTED
8% TOTAL OPPOSED

13. The Palestinian people

TOTAL
3% TOTALLY COMMITTED
9% VERY COMMITTED
25% SOMEWHAT COMMITTED
12% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER COMMITTED NOR OPPOSED
23% SOMEWHAT OPPOSED
18% VERY OPPOSED
11% TOTALLY OPPOSED
37% TOTAL COMMITTED
52% TOTAL OPPOSED

14. “Incitement” is the name given by some to the practice of Palestinian
media, mosques, schools and civic activity that promote extreme anti-Israel
and anti-Jewish activity, such as honoring suicide bombers as heroes for
young people to emulate. Others have used the phrase “Culture of Hatred.”
Which do you think is a greater obstacle to peace?

TOTAL
77% PALESTINIAN INCITEMENT/CULTURE OF HATRED
12% ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF PALESTINIAN LAND
12% ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ON PALESTINIAN LAND

15. As you may know, Israel withdrew entirely from Gaza in 2005 to reduce
conflict and move the peace process forward. Thereafter, Palestinian rocket
and mortar attacks from Gaza targeting Israeli civilians greatly
intensified, prompting Israel to launch a military operation called
“Operation Cast Lead” which largely stopped the rockets. In the end, 700
Palestinian combatants and 700 Palestinian civilians were killed. Looking
back, do you support or oppose Israel’s Operation Cast Lead?

TOTAL
47% STRONGLY SUPPORT
30% SOMEWHAT SUPPORT
15% TOTALLY NEUTRAL – NO OPINION EITHER WAY
7% SOMEWHAT OPPOSE
2% STRONGLY OPPOSE
77% TOTAL SUPPORT
9% TOTAL OPPOSE

16. The major obstacle to peace between Israel and the Palestinians is…?

TOTAL
34% PALESTINIAN REFUSAL TO ACCEPT ISRAEL AS A JEWISH
STATE
21% THE PALESTINIAN CULTURE OF HATE AND INCITEMENT
16% DISPUTED LAND
7% THE THREAT OF PALESTINIAN-ARAB TERRORISM
6% HAMAS
4% BAD PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP
3% ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS
2% HEZBOLLAH
2% ISRAEL IS UNWILLING TO COMPROMISE
2% ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU
4% NONE OF THESE

16/17. (COMBINED ANSWERS) The major obstacle to peace between Israel and the
Palestinians is…? And what is your second choice?

TOTAL
54% PALESTINIAN REFUSAL TO ACCEPT ISRAEL AS A JEWISH
STATE
45% THE PALESTINIAN CULTURE OF HATE AND INCITEMENT
26% DISPUTED LAND
18% THE THREAT OF PALESTINIAN-ARAB TERRORISM
16% HAMAS
10% BAD PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP
8% ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS
7% HEZBOLLAH
6% ISRAEL IS UNWILLING TO COMPROMISE
3% ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU
5% NONE OF THESE

18. Israel has said that in a peace agreement it will recognize an Arab
Palestinian state.
Similarly, Israel wants the Palestinian Authority to recognize Israel as a
Jewish state. In your opinion, is Palestinian recognition of a Jewish
state … to a peace agreement?

TOTAL
50% 100% AND TOTALLY NECESSARY, NO EXCEPTIONS
28% VERY NECESSARY
12% SOMEWHAT NECESSARY
2% NOT VERY NECESSARY
1% TOTALLY UNNECESSARY
7% I REALLY AND TRULY DON’T KNOW
78% TOTAL 100% AND VERY NECESSARY
3% TOTAL NOT VERY AND TOTALLY UNNECESSARY

Below is a list of outcomes some say might happen if a Palestinian state
were created in the West Bank and Gaza. For each, please respond whether
you believe it is LIKELY or UNLIKELY to happen.

19. ISRAELIS WOULD FINALLY BE FREE FROM PALESTINIAN TERRORIST ATTACKS

TOTAL
6% VERY LIKELY
15% SOMEWHAT LIKELY
17% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER LIKELY NOR UNLIKELY
27% SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY
35% VERY UNLIKELY
21% TOTAL LIKELY
62% TOTAL UNLIKELY

20. PALESTINIANS WOULD STOP EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN TO KILL JEWS AND TO
HOPE TO DRIVE THE JEWS OUT OF ISRAEL

TOTAL
9% VERY LIKELY
17% SOMEWHAT LIKELY
21% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER LIKELY NOR UNLIKELY
27% SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY
27% VERY UNLIKELY
26% TOTAL LIKELY
54% TOTAL UNLIKELY

21. WITHIN A SHORT TIME, THE PALESTINIAN NATION WOULD ATTACK ISRAEL

TOTAL
31% VERY LIKELY
37% SOMEWHAT LIKELY
22% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER LIKELY NOR UNLIKELY
8% SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY
3% VERY UNLIKELY
68% TOTAL LIKELY
11% TOTAL UNLIKELY

22. IRAN WILL DEVELOP A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PALESTINIANS AND
SUPPORT MORE TERROR AGAINST ISRAEL

TOTAL
35% VERY LIKELY
37% SOMEWHAT LIKELY
19% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NEITHER LIKELY NOR UNLIKELY
7% SOMEWHAT UNLIKELY
2% VERY UNLIKELY
72% TOTAL LIKELY
9% TOTAL UNLIKELY

23. The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank under the Fatah
party, and Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, have announced plans to
formally reconcile and join together as one Palestinian government. Hamas is
recognized as a terrorist organization not just by Israel, but also by the
European Union and the United States. Their official charter calls for them
to “fight and kill the Jews.”

If Hamas is a major part of the Palestinian government should Israel…?

TOTAL
77% REFUSE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY UNTIL HAMAS
RENOUNCES TERRORISM AND OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZES ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO EXIST
23% BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PALESTINIAN COALITION REGARDLESS OF HAMAS’
RECORD OF TERRORISM AND CONTINUING CALLS FOR ISRAEL’S DESTRUCTION

24. If a Palestinian state is created in the West Bank, Jews should…?

TOTAL
92% BE ALLOWED TO LIVE IN PALESTINIAN LANDS, JUST AS ARABS ARE ALLOWED TO
LIVE IN ISRAEL TODAY
9% NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIVE IN A PALESTINIAN STATE BECAUSE IT IS
PALESTINIAN LAND FOR PALESTINIANS ONLY

25. Earlier this year, a bipartisan Congressional letter to President Obama
signed by 46
Members of House Foreign Affairs committee called for an end to Palestinian
incitement which they wrote, “damages the prospects” for peace and
“encourages terrorism.” Overall, do you SUPPORT or OPPOSE Congressional
measures that call for an end to Palestinian incitement and similar issues?

TOTAL
49% STRONGLY SUPPORT. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. OUR LEADERS HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO STAND UP AGAINST HATRED IN THE MIDDLE EAST. NO EXCUSES.
32% SUPPORT. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE OUR LEADERS SHOULD BE FAIR. THEY SHOULD
CRITICIZE ISRAEL AT THE SAME TIME FOR ITS OWN WRONG DOINGS AS WELL.
6% OPPOSE. OUR LEADERS IN AMERICA HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO THAN
COMMENT ON THE MIDDLE EAST.
1% STRONGLY OPPOSE. WE SHOULD BE CRITICIZING ISRAEL FOR ITS HUMAN RIGHTS
ABUSES, NOT THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
13% I REALLY DO NOT KNOW
81% TOTAL SUPPORT
7% TOTAL OPPOSE

26. If your U.S. Representative signed a letter calling for an end to
Palestinian incitement against Israel and Jews, would you be MORE or LESS
likely to VOTE for that Representative?

TOTAL
44% MUCH MORE LIKELY
37% SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY
17% TOTALLY NEUTRAL
1% SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
1% MUCH LESS LIKELY
81% TOTAL MORE LIKELY
2% TOTAL LESS LIKELY

27. If your U.S. Representative signed a letter calling for an end to
Palestinian incitement against Israel and Jews, would you be MORE or LESS
FAVORABLE toward
that Representative overall?

TOTAL
37% MUCH MORE FAVORABLE
33% SOMEWHAT MORE FAVORABLE
26% NO IMPACT
2% SOMEWHAT LESS FAVORABLE
3% MUCH LESS FAVORABLE
70% TOTAL MORE FAVORABLE
5% TOTAL LESS FAVORABLE

28. Judge Richard Goldstone is the author of the “Goldstone Report,” which
charged Israel with war crimes including deliberately attacking civilians.
Shortly after its release, the Report was denounced as biased and false by
the US House of Representatives, as well as officials in the Obama
administration and the Israeli government. If an issue advocacy group
promoted appearances by Judge Goldstone among Members of Congress, how would
you feel towards that issue advocacy group?

TOTAL
25% MAD AS HELL AT THEM
36% STRONGLY OPPOSED
13% SOMEWHAT OPPOSED
21% TOTALLY NEUTRAL- NO OPINION
2% SOMEWHAT SUPPORT
1% STRONGLY SUPPORT
2% APPLAUD THEM FOR THE HONESTY

29. What is your position on initiatives across the United States and Europe
to encourage boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli products?

TOTAL
4% STRONGLY SUPPORT
10% SOMEWHAT SUPPORT
15% TOTALLY NEUTRAL – NO OPINION
11% SOMEWHAT OPPOSE
60% STRONGLY OPPOSE
14% TOTAL SUPPORT
71% TOTAL OPPOSE

30. What is your position on initiatives across the United States and Europe
to encourage boycott, divestment and sanctions against products from Israeli
settlements?

TOTAL
3% STRONGLY SUPPORT
9% SOMEWHAT SUPPORT
20% TOTALLY NEUTRAL – NO OPINION
16% SOMEWHAT OPPOSE
52% STRONGLY OPPOSE
12% TOTAL SUPPORT
68% TOTAL OPPOSE

31. In recent times, US Congressional actions have been largely favorable
towards Israel, from foreign aid allocation to resolutions in support of
Israel. How should Jewish groups relate to Congress on this issue?

TOTAL
77% JEWISH GROUPS SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF A US CONGRESS THAT SUPPORTS
ISRAEL
14% GROUPS REPRESENTING JEWS SHOULDN’T PUBLICLY DISAGREE WITH A
SUPPORTIVE CONGRESS ON ISSUES RELATED TO ISRAEL
9% JEWISH GROUPS SHOULD CRITICIZE CONGRESS WHEN
PRESSURING ISRAEL WOULD HELP THE PEACE PROCESS

32. Which statement comes closer to your own view even if neither is exactly
right?

TOTAL
85% THE JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF BEING PERSECUTED AND
TARGETED. THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY HOSTILE NATIONS WHO HAVE PUBLICLY CALLED
FOR ISRAEL’S DESTRUCTION. ISRAEL IS RIGHT TO TAKE THREATS TO ITS EXISTENCE
SERIOUSLY
8% ISRAEL DOES NOT CURRENTLY FACE ANY REAL THREATS TO ITS EXISTENCE. THE
FEARS ARE EITHER IRRATIONAL AND DRIVEN BY MEMORIES OF THE HOLOCAUST OR ARE
OVERSTATED TO AVOID MAKING CONCESSIONS TO THE PALESTINIANS OR TO RAISE MONEY
FROM CONCERNED DONORS
7% I REALLY AND TRULY DON’T KNOW

33. Reflecting on your ideological beliefs, would you consider yourself to
be a…?

TOTAL
14% STRONG LIBERAL
34% MODERATE LIBERAL
28% MODERATE
17% MODERATE CONSERVATIVE
5% STRONG CONSERVATIVE
2% OTHER
48% TOTAL LIBERAL
22% TOTAL CONSERVATIVE

34. Did you vote for John McCain, Barack Obama, or someone else in 2008? If
you did not vote in the last presidential election, who WOULD you have voted
for?

TOTAL
74% BARACK OBAMA
23% JOHN MCCAIN
1% SOMEONE ELSE
2% DON’T KNOW/REFUSED

A. How many times have you been to Israel? If you have never been, put a
“0”

TOTAL
57% 0
20% 1
18% 2-5
5% 6+

B. What is the highest level of education you have completed?

TOTAL
1% SOME HIGH SCHOOL
7% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
21% SOME COLLEGE
42% COLLEGE GRADUATE
30% GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE

C. And again, to make sure we have a representative sample of the American
population, what is your family income before taxes?

TOTAL
14% Less than $30,000
18% $30,000-$49,999
22% $50,000-$74,999
46% $75,000+

D. What region do you live in?

TOTAL
46% NORTHEAST
19% SOUTH
13% INDUSTRIAL/MIDWEST
7% WEST/MIDWEST
16% PACIFIC