A new AP-NORC poll released Monday found that support for Israel has become less central to the identity of younger Jewish Americans, with only 42 percent of those under 45 saying that backing Israel is important to them personally. The survey represents a generational divide in how Jewish Americans connect to their faith and culture.
The poll asked about various ways Jewish Americans engage with their heritage, including religious practice, cultural traditions, and political positions on Israel. Among Jews aged 45 and older, support for Israel ranked higher as a personal priority. The findings come amid ongoing debate over U.S. policy toward Israel and shifting attitudes among younger voters across the political spectrum.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative Jewish organizations and Republican supporters of Israel expressed concern about the findings. The Republican Jewish Coalition said the results underscore what they describe as a dangerous drift away from Israel's security needs among some segments of the community.
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a member of the Senate Republican Israel Caucus, said maintaining strong U.S.-Israel relations remains a bipartisan priority despite shifting attitudes in some demographic groups. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) pointed to continued strong congressional support for Israel across party lines as evidence of enduring ties.
Orthodox Jewish communities, which have shown higher rates of support for Israel in other surveys, represent a growing share of the Jewish population. Leaders from organizations such as the Orthodox Union said religious connection to the land of Israel remains central to their community's identity regardless of political disagreements over specific policies.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Jewish organizations and Democratic lawmakers have pointed to the poll as reflecting broader changes in how young people engage with their identities. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, president of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, said the findings represent a natural evolution as younger Jews seek multiple pathways to connect with their heritage.
Representative Jerry Nadler of New York noted that Jewish identity encompasses many elements beyond foreign policy positions. Organizations such as J Street, which advocates for diplomatic solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have argued that supporting Israel can take different forms, including pushing for policies they view as more aligned with progressive values.
Some progressive Jewish groups said the poll reflects younger Americans' preference for activism on domestic issues, including voting rights, climate change, and economic inequality. The Jewish Democratic Council of America said young Jews are finding ways to express their values through multiple channels rather than centering any single issue.
What the Numbers Show
The AP-NORC poll found that 42 percent of Jewish Americans under age 45 say supporting Israel is important to them personally. The survey did not provide direct comparison numbers for older respondents in this particular release, though previous polling has shown higher rates among those 45 and above.
Jewish Americans represent approximately 2.4 percent of the U.S. population, or about 7.6 million people, according to the Pew Research Center's most recent demographic estimates. The Orthodox Jewish community has grown faster than other Jewish subgroups in recent decades, with higher birth rates and lower rates of intermarriage.
According to Pew research from recent years, majorities of Jewish Americans have historically expressed pro-Israel sentiments, though views on Israeli government policies vary significantly by age and political affiliation. The new AP-NORC data suggests these variations may be deepening among younger generations.
The Bottom Line
The poll highlights a generational shift in how some young Jewish Americans relate to Israel as part of their identity. Political analysts say this could have long-term implications for advocacy organizations, campaign fundraising, and the composition of pro-Israel coalitions in Washington.
Both major political parties have maintained strong official support for Israel in recent congressional votes, suggesting that institutional backing remains robust despite shifting attitudes in some demographic segments. The poll results may influence how candidates court Jewish voters in future elections while also reshaping debates within Jewish communal organizations about priorities and messaging.
The AP-NORC Center plans to release additional findings from the survey, which was conducted with funding from the Harold K. Hyam and Edith S. Bors Centennial Professor of Philosophy Fund at Northwestern University.