Souring Israel: When American Jews favor Mamdani over Netanyahu - editorial

Lead

A recent poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has found that American Jews hold a more favorable view of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani than of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The survey, conducted among 1,022 Jewish adults nationwide between June 11 and June 17, shows 44% of American Jews view Mamdani very or somewhat favorably, while only 32% have a positive opinion of Netanyahu. The poll has prompted commentary in the Jerusalem Post, with one editorial calling it a reflection of fraying bonds of peoplehood and solidarity among American Jewry.

Coverage Comparison

Three articles from the Jerusalem Post addressed the poll results with distinct angles. The first, a news report, presented the numbers neutrally, noting that 39% of US Jews view Mamdani unfavorably and 59% view Netanyahu unfavorably. It also reported broader attitudes: a majority of American Jews disapproved of President Donald Trump's handling of the economy (74%), immigration (69%), and Iran (73%), while 58% disapproved of his handling of Israel.

A second piece, an editorial, focused on the symbolic meaning of the findings. It described Mamdani as someone who "does not believe Israel should exist as a Jewish state" and who has called AIPAC "monsters," and contrasted this with Netanyahu's position as the leader of Israel. The editorial argued that the preference for Mamdani over Netanyahu says more about American Jewry than about either man, suggesting that the bonds of peoplehood are fraying.

The third article, an opinion piece, placed the poll in the context of shifting American politics. It noted that Republicans today are more pro-Israel than Democrats, and that anger toward Israel from the Left has been increasing. It also cited that about half of Republicans under 50 hold negative views of Israel, and emphasized that the Jewish community remains a strong supporter of liberal immigration policies.

Key Claims

• 44% of American Jews view Zohran Mamdani very or somewhat favorably.
• 32% of American Jews view Benjamin Netanyahu very or somewhat favorably.
• 59% of American Jews view Netanyahu unfavorably.
• 39% of American Jews view Mamdani unfavorably.
• Three in 10 American Jews identify as Jewish ethnically, culturally, or through family background, but describe themselves as agnostic, atheist, or religiously unaffiliated.
• 7% of US Jews say Hamas' October 7 attack was justified.
• 49% of US Jews say Israel has not committed genocide in Gaza.
• 38% of Jewish respondents say the US is too supportive of Israelis.
• 43% of Jewish respondents say the US is not supportive enough of Palestinians.
• Polls show Republicans are more pro-Israel than Democrats.
• About half of Republicans under 50 hold negative views of Israel.
• The Jewish community remains a strong supporter of liberal immigration policies.

Perspectives

The Jerusalem Post's editorial offers a critical perspective on the poll results, interpreting the preference for Mamdani over Netanyahu as a troubling sign of American Jewry's shifting relationship with Israel. It argues that “if one’s own people prefer a man whose rhetoric denies the Jewish people the right of self-determination enjoyed by every other nation over the leader of the state that embodies that very right,” it reflects a deeper problem. The editorial views the numbers as evidence of fading solidarity, rather than a commentary on Netanyahu's performance.

In contrast, the opinion piece by Douglas Bloomfield presents a more contextualized view, attributing the shift to a combination of factors, including the destruction of Gaza and a long-standing rightward shift by the Israeli government and groups like AIPAC. It notes that even among young Republicans, favorable views of Israel are declining, and it highlights the dilemma facing American Jews as they navigate their domestic political interests and their support for Israel.

Both perspectives agree on the underlying data but diverge on its significance. The editorial sees the poll as a symptom of American Jewry's growing distance from Israel, while the opinion piece sees it as part of a broader political realignment affecting both parties.