A new JPPI index shows most American Jews fear Israel’s Gaza policy endangers Jews worldwide, with nearly half concealing their Jewish identity in public.
The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) has released its Voice of the Jewish People Index for August, revealing growing unease among American Jews over the impact of Israel’s war in Gaza on Jewish communities abroad.
According to the survey, 75% of American Jews fear Israel risks becoming a pariah state in the West—a higher level of anxiety than among Israelis themselves (62%).
The findings echo a recent letter from Jewish leaders to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that Israel’s actions in Gaza reverberate far beyond its borders, shaping how Jewish communities are perceived and treated worldwide.
The survey underscores this point: 92% of US Jews agree Israel’s actions directly affect Diaspora Jews. But opinion is sharply divided—47% believe Israel must weigh the global impact on Jews, while 45% say military victory must come first, regardless of consequences abroad.
Identity concerns also surfaced: nearly half of American Jews admit to concealing their Jewish identity in unfamiliar settings (42% sometimes, 9% always). By contrast, most haredi Jews said they never hide their identity (53%).
Religious observance remains steady ahead of the High Holidays, with 53% planning to attend services more than once, and 18% at least once.
On the Gaza war itself, American Jews are split:
- 47% say Israel had no choice but to oust Hamas
- 34% argue Israel is making a mistake
- 10% want Israel to stop fighting, even if Hamas stays in power
Political affiliations play a decisive role: 85% of Jewish Trump voters support Israel’s war effort, compared with just 26% of Jewish Harris voters. Nearly half of Harris supporters (49%) believe Israel is on the wrong path.
Perceptions of the war’s progress also differ: only 32% of US Jews believe Israel is “winning or has won,” compared with 48% of Israelis. Meanwhile, 37% of US Jews and 30% of Israelis believe Israel is not winning.
JPPI President Prof. Yedidia Stern warned that Israel’s war decisions carry real consequences for Jews abroad:
“The way the war is being conducted directly and significantly impacts Diaspora Jews’ sense of security in their own homes. Nearly half expect Israel to consider their safety, but in practice, their voice is absent from decision-making.”
Stern urged Israel to give practical meaning to its obligations under the Nation-State Law, which pledges to safeguard Jews in distress worldwide. He called for a formal mechanism ensuring Diaspora security concerns are factored into Israel’s critical national decisions.
