NEW YORK (Press Release)–A new poll of American Jewish opinion, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, has produced a surprising result: despite the fact that American Jews voted for Barack Obama in 2008 by a massive 78% to 21%, today a plurality of 46% of American Jews say they would consider voting for someone else if Barack Obama runs for re-election in 2012, whereas 42% would vote for him and 12% registered no opinion.
The poll also found that:
· 62% of American Jews believe that the Palestinians would continue their campaign of terror to destroy Israel if they were given a Palestinian state, while only 19% say they would live peacefully with Israel.
· 52% of American Jews disapprove of the Obama Administration supporting a plan to recognize a Palestinian state within two years, whereas only 28% approve of it.
· 64% of American Jews believe that Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel, while only 13% say that the United States should force Israel to give up parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinians (‘McLaughlin & Associates Poll: National Survey of Jewish Voters,’ April 14, 2010).
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, “By any yardstick, this is a surprising result. It is well-known that American Jews have been overwhelmingly and consistently supporters of the Democratic Party for decades and that 78% of American Jews voted for Barack Obama.
“Despite concerns, voiced by ZOA and others, regarding then-Senator Obama’s friendships with the anti-Israel Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Al Sharpton, Rashid Khalidi, Ali Abunimah and others; his statements that Hamas and Hizballah have ‘legitimate claims’; and his backtracking on supporting Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, most American Jews reassured by Obama’s professions of friendship for and unshakeable bond’ with Israel.
“However, after 15 months in office, American Jews have been given cause for deep concern about the President’s harsh policy towards Israel and indulgent one towards the Arab and Muslim worlds.
“Not only have Israel’s sworn enemies, like Iran and Syria, been courted; not only did the President inaccurately write off Jewish claims to statehood as some sort of consolation prize for the Holocaust in his June 2009 Cairo speech; not only have many of his Middle East advisers track records of hostility to Israel; not only has he coupled American commitment to Israel’s security with Israel ‘respecting’ the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians; but his Administration has condemned as ‘an insult to America’ Israel’s announcement that it will build homes for Jews in a Jewish neighborhood in eastern Jerusalem, while increasing aid to a Palestinian Authority that refuses to negotiate, make concessions or end terrorism or incitement to hatred and murder against Israel. American Jews appear to have noticed and are worried – with reason.”
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Preceding provided by Zionist Organization of America