While a majority of American Jewish voters approve of President Donald Trump’s brokering of new agreements between Israel and UAE and Bahrain (56% to 29% who disapprove) and nearly three in four (73%-10%) feel that they are likely to bring peace to Israel in the Middle East region, they are overwhelmingly not willing to support his re-election. In a new poll by Newsmax and John Zogby Strategies, Jewish voters support former Vice President Joe Biden by a factor of 69%-25% over Mr. Trump. When those initially undecided are re-questioned to offer whom they lean toward, Mr. Biden’s lead increases to 73%-26%. In 2016, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the Jewish vote 73%-19%, according to exit poll reports.
The new Newsmax/John Zogby Strategies Poll of 600 Jewish voters was conducted September 21-24 and has a margin of sampling error of +/-4 percentage points.
In other key findings:
- 89% of those voting for Joe Biden says it’s impossible that they could change their mind and only 10% leave that door open. For Trump, 69% say it’s impossible that they could change their mind and 26% say it’s possible.
- Biden is receiving 94% of Democrats and leading 59% to 30% among Independents. 91% of the small number of Jewish Republicans support Trump.
- Biden is receiving substantial majorities of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews, as well as all age groups.
- Only 31% approve of Mr. Trump’s handling of his job as President, while 67% disapprove
- He receives low marks as well for his handling of the economy (38% approve, 59% disapprove), the Middle East (41%-52%), and the Covid-19 pandemic (26%-71%).
- Mr. Trump is viewed personally at 28% favorable and 72% unfavorable, while Mr. Biden is seen by 73% in a favorable light vs. 25% who view him unfavorably.
- In another question, American Jewish voters are evenly split on the perception of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with 42% seeing him favorably and 42% unfavorably.
- Interestingly, 44% say they know friends or family who are voting for Mr. Trump but won’t say it publicly
- 73% say that the safety and security of Israel is a top-three issue for them; of this 49% say it is their Number 1 issue and 44% say it is not.
- Despite approving of Mr. Trump’s efforts, 48% still say that Mr. Biden is best able to protect Israel, while 33% say Mr. Trump is.
- By a factor of 62% to 20%, those polled say they prefer a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestinian dispute, while another 18% are not sure.
- Less than one in three (31%) feel that Mr. Trump should be awarded the Nobel Prize for his Middle East efforts while 62% disagree.
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