A new poll reveals a stark contrast between Israeli and American Jewish voters’ preferences for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with Israelis overwhelmingly favoring Donald Trump.
At a Glance
- 66% of Israelis prefer Trump over Harris for 2024 U.S. presidential election
- 93% of Israeli coalition party voters support Trump
- 68% of American Jewish voters back Harris, only 25% favor Trump
- Israeli support for Biden administration has declined since October 7, 2023
- Poll suggests potential shifts in Israeli domestic politics
Israeli Voters Strongly Favor Trump
A recent Channel 12 News poll has unveiled a significant preference among Israeli voters for former U.S. President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The survey, conducted on October 28 with 507 participants, shows that 66% of Israelis favor Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, who garnered only 17% support. The remaining 17% expressed no preference.
The divide becomes even more pronounced when examining coalition party voters, where an overwhelming 93% prefer Trump, with a mere 1% backing Harris. This stark contrast highlights the strong support Trump enjoys among Israeli conservatives.
Poll shows Israelis massively favor Trump over Harris in US election https://t.co/kERrfVVPvQ
— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) October 29, 2024
American Jewish Voters Tell a Different Story
In a striking contrast to Israeli sentiment, American Jewish voters show a markedly different preference. A poll by the Jewish Democratic Council of America found that 68% of U.S. Jews support Harris, while only 25% favor Trump. This disparity underscores the complex dynamics at play in Jewish-American politics and the varying priorities between Israeli and American Jewish communities.
“An overwhelming number of Israelis (66%) prefer Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump over Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, according to a Channel 12 News poll the findings of which were revealed on Monday.”
For American Jews, Israel-related issues rank lower in priority compared to domestic concerns such as democracy, abortion rights, and the economy. This divergence in priorities may explain the stark difference in presidential preferences between Israeli and American Jewish voters.
Trump’s Pro-Israel Legacy
The strong Israeli support for Trump can be attributed to his past actions as president, which were viewed favorably by many Israelis. These include moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, and adopting a tougher stance on Iran. These policies have left a lasting positive impression on Israeli voters, particularly among those aligned with conservative parties.
“The Channel 12 news poll noted that US President Joe Biden was briefly favored by the Israeli public last year, when he threw his full support behind Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre that sparked the ongoing fighting with Iran-backed terror groups in Gaza and Lebanon.”
While President Biden initially saw a surge in support among Israelis following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, this backing has since waned. The shift suggests that Israelis are prioritizing candidates they perceive as providing strong support for their regional security interests.
Poll: Israelis favor Trump three times more than Harris: A new survey shows that Trump holds a popularity rating almost three times that of Harris in Israel as election day looms. https://t.co/4dXRa8RJov ArutzSheva pic.twitter.com/V9LfziVnkC
— Jewish Community (@JComm_NewsFeeds) October 28, 2024
Implications for Israeli Domestic Politics
The poll also sheds light on potential shifts in Israeli domestic politics. If elections were held today, the Likud Party would secure 26 Knesset seats, while the National Unity Party would win 22. The opposition is projected to win 68 mandates, compared to 52 for the current coalition, including support from the Arab party Hadash-Ta’al.
These numbers suggest that forming a new government would likely require cooperation with Arab parties, a scenario that could reshape Israeli political alliances. The survey indicates that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s popularity has increased due to recent military successes, though his current coalition lacks the numbers to form a government.
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, the stark contrast in preferences between Israeli and American Jewish voters highlights the complex interplay of domestic and international politics. The outcome of the election could have significant implications for U.S.-Israel relations and regional dynamics in the Middle East.
Sources:
- Israelis prefer Trump over Harris by 68% to 17%, poll finds
- Poll shows Israelis massively favor Trump over Harris in US election
- Two-thirds of Israelis support Donald Trump in 2024 election: poll
