The American Jewish Committee's Annual Survey of Jewish Opinion shows that over one quarter of Jews in the United States define the current state of relations between the US and Israel as negative.
When asked to characterize relations between Israel and the United States, 10% chose “very positive,” 63% “somewhat positive,” 22% “somewhat negative” and another 4% “very negative.”
Last year, 11% chose “very positive,” 70% “somewhat positive,” 14% “somewhat negative” and 2% “very negative.”
The total proportion that answered “negative” or “very negative” was therefore 26% in 2010, up from 16% the previous year. The total proportion that answered “positive” or “very positive” was 73% in 2010, down from 81%.
Sixty-eight percent of US Jews believe there is either “little” or “no” chance of sanctions and diplomacy curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Fifty-three percent would support, and 42 percent oppose, U.S. military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while 62 percent would support, and 33 percent oppose, Israeli military action.
In 2009, 56% said they would support US military action against Iran and 36% said they would oppose it. Regarding Israeli action, the 2009 numbers were 66% in support and 28% opposing.
These numbers seem to show that support for such a strike, either by Israel or the US, is weakening. However, it should be noted that the 2010 survey included a question about the ability of “a combination of diplomacy and sanctions” to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The 2009 survey did not raise the possibilty of a sanctions regime as an alternative to military action. The 2010 inclusion of a question regarding sanctions may have affected respondents' answers regarding military action.
President Obama’s overall performance as president won the approval of 57%, with 38% disapproving. Exit polls in the 2008 election showed that President Obama won 78 percent of the Jewish vote.