National survey of American Jews March 2009

Figure 1 J Street National Survey of American Jews Key Findings American Jews overwhelmingly support President Obama and approve of his approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict Fundamental attitudes about the conflict and America’s role in the Middle East remain unchanged from J Street’s national survey conducted eight months ago Jews have deep concerns about Avigdor Lieberman and settlements Jews hold complex attitudes toward the recent military action in Gaza: strong approval for Israel during time of war, but strongly question the effectiveness and don’t think it made Israel more secure Support for US engagement with a potential Palestinian unity government is strong

Figure 2 Political Landscape J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 3 Obama Extraordinarily Well-Liked J Street National Survey of American Jews ` +51

Figure 4 Strong Approval for Obama’s Job Performance Handling his job as President Handling the Economy Handling the Arab-Israeli Conflict J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 5 Obama Viewed Positively Across a Variety of Measures

Figure 6 Clinton and Mitchell Highly Favorable J Street National Survey of American Jews Hillary Clinton George Mitchell

Figure 7 Conservative Critics Have No Standing with American Jews Favorable - Unfavorable Rush Limbaugh Sarah Palin Republican Party

Figure 8 Stability on Key Measures J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 9 Support for Active American Role Stable and Strong “Do you support or oppose the United States playing an active role in helping the parties to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict?” J Street National Survey of American Jews July 2008 March

Figure 10 Support Remains Strong Despite Public Disagreement or Pressure Support - Oppose U.S. playing an active role U.S. publicly disagreeing with both sides U.S. exerting pressure on both sides July 2008March 2009July 2008March 2009 July 2008March 2009

Figure 11 Middle East Peace Still Seen as Core American Interest J Street National Survey of American Jews July 2008 March Middle East peace is a core American interest, and the United States should use assertive diplomacy to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict OR Only the parties themselves can make peace, and the United States should let the Palestinians and Israelis work the conflict out on their own

Figure 12 Peace Agreement Still Trumps Military Superiority J Street National Survey of American Jews July 2008 March Israel cannot rely on peace agreements with its enemies to provide security, and in the long run, Israel can only achieve real security by maintaining its military superiority. OR Israel must always maintain its strong military, but in the long run, Israel can only achieve real security through peace agreements that end conflicts and establish internationally recognized borders.

Figure The new United States envoy to the Middle East, former Senator George Mitchell, should side with Israel during peace negotiations in order to protect America's democratic ally Israel. The new United States envoy to the Middle East, former Senator George Mitchell, should act as a fair and impartial broker in order to achieve a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. Jews Seek Even-Handedness in Mitchell Effort J Street National Survey of American Jews +32

Figure 14 Gaza J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure “Do you approve or disapprove of the recent military action that Israel took in Gaza?” Jews Rally Behind Israel During War +50 J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 16 Little Support for Connor… But Jews Don’t Think Gaza War Helped Israel “Regardless of whether you approve or disapprove of the recent military action that Israel took in Gaza, do you think it made Israel more secure, less secure, or had no impact on Israel's security?”

Figure 17 Concerns Toward Gaza Remain Constant J Street National Survey of American Jews July 2008March Israeli military actions that target terrorists, but kill Palestinian civilians create more terrorism instead of preventing terrorism. July 2008 March 2009 Israel has the right to defend itself, but it must also take into account humanitarian considerations and avoid collective punishment of the entire Palestinian population by closing the borders and causing major civilian hardship

Figure 18 Iran J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 19 Ambivalence on How to Deal with Iran J Street National Survey of American Jews The best way to deal with Iran is through direct negotiations that provide strong incentives for them to abandon the development of nuclear weapons. The best way to deal with Iran is through international sanctions that force Iran to choose between nuclear weapons and international isolation. America should not attack Iran with military force if they are on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. America should attack Iran with military force if they are on the verge of developing nuclear weapons.

Figure 20 Palestinian Unity Government J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure “As you may know, the Palestinian Authority is the Palestinian government in the West Bank and has been engaged in peace talks with the Israeli government. Hamas is the Palestinian government in Gaza and is not recognized by the United States because of its terrorism and refusal to recognize Israel. Currently, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are negotiating to become a unified Palestinian government. If they reach an agreement, would you support or oppose the United States working with that unity government to achieve a peace agreement with Israel?” Strong Support for U.S. to Work with Palestinian Unity Government to Reach Peace +38 J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 22 Final Status Agreement J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 23 Final Status Proposal J Street National Survey of American Jews Eight years ago, Israeli, Palestinian, and American negotiators came very close to reaching a final status peace agreement, but ultimately fell short. The details of that agreement include: a demilitarized Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza internationally recognized borders that include some land swaps allowing for most Jewish settlers in the West Bank to be inside Israel while the Palestinians get comparable land areas in return Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem become part of the new Palestinian state while Israel retains control of Jewish neighborhoods and the Western Wall in Jerusalem international forces to monitor the new Palestinian state and border crossings financial compensation for Palestinian refugees while allowing some refugees to return to Israel if they meet specific family reunification criteria and the Israeli government approves

Figure Final Status Proposal Receives Strong Support +52 J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 25 Settlements J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 26 Strong Opposition to Settlements J Street National Survey of American Jews 60 “From what you know about Israeli settlements in the West Bank, do you support or oppose expanding these settlements?”

Figure 27 Opposition to Settlements Unchanged after Statements J Street National Survey of American Jews 60 Supporters of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank say this is the biblical Land of Israel, Jews have the right to live there, and settlement expansion is necessary to accommodate natural growth. Opponents of expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank say the settlements break agreements with the United States, violate international law, and prevent Arab-Israeli peace because they establish Israeli population centers in the middle of a future Palestinian state.

Figure “From what you know about Israeli settlements in the West Bank, do you support or oppose expanding these settlements?” Nearly Three-Quarters of Jewish Political Donors Oppose Settlements +44 J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 29 Avigdor Lieberman J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure “As you may know, Israel had an election earlier this month. The party receiving the third largest number of seats is led by Avigdor Lieberman who has previously called for the execution of Arab members of Israel's parliament who met with Hamas and whose main campaign message called for Arab citizens of Israel to sign a loyalty oath to the Jewish state in order to prevent their citizenship from being revoked. Do you support or oppose these positions?” Strong Opposition to Lieberman Views -38 J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 31 Little Support for Connor… One-in-Three Would Feel Weaker Ties to Israel if Lieberman Appointed to Cabinet “If Avigdor Lieberman becomes a senior member of the Israeli cabinet and refuses to change his positions on Arab citizens of Israel, how would this affect your feelings toward Israel?”

Figure 32 Little Support for Connor… Opposition to Lieberman Among Jews Under 30 “If Avigdor Lieberman becomes a senior member of the Israeli cabinet and refuses to change his positions on Arab citizens of Israel, how would this affect your feelings toward Israel?”

Figure 33 Economic Impact on Charitable Giving J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 34 Nearly Two-Thirds Have Reduced Charitable Contributions

Figure 35 Bernard Madoff Impact J Street National Survey of American Jews

Figure 36 Impact of Madoff Scandal 39% Total Affected