JFNA 2025 Survey of Jewish Life since October 7 – Israel Conversations

Key Findings:

The March 2025 survey finds that American Jews remain strongly connected to Israel, but conversations about Israel are increasingly complex and, for many, difficult.

Attachment remains high. Seventy-one percent say they feel emotionally attached to Israel, 60% say Israel makes them proud to be Jewish, and 88% say it is important that Israel be both a Jewish and democratic state. At the same time, 69% say they sometimes find it hard to support actions taken by the Israeli government — indicating a distinction between support for Israel and criticism of specific policies.

There is near-universal rejection of Hamas’ October 7 attack: 94% say the way Hamas carried it out was unacceptable, and a large majority reject Hamas’ stated reasons for fighting Israel. Eighty-seven percent say Israel has valid reasons for fighting Hamas, and over half view Israel’s response as acceptable, though opinion on how the war is being conducted is more divided.

Within the American Jewish community, however, conversations about Israel are straining cohesion. Roughly one-third say they would not feel welcomed if they shared their views, or feel the community is so divided that they struggle to find where they belong. Nearly half believe the community does not allow for nuanced conversations about the war. Thirty-seven percent say they are tired of discussing Israeli politics in Jewish spaces.

Notably, 24% say they do not feel knowledgeable enough to participate in conversations about Israel — and lack of knowledge appears to be a more significant barrier to engagement than disagreement alone.

Overall, the data show a community that is broadly supportive of Israel and unified in rejecting Hamas, yet internally divided over tone, nuance, and how conversations are being conducted. The challenge is less about attachment to Israel itself and more about creating spaces that allow for informed, nuanced, and inclusive dialogue.