A majority of American Jews would prefer to see Israel’s opposition win the upcoming elections, according to a new survey from the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), which also found remarkably high interest among U.S. Jews in Israel’s political developments.

The August survey found that 78% of American Jews are closely following news surrounding Israel’s elections, despite only 8% of respondents holding Israeli citizenship and therefore being eligible to vote.

When asked about their preferred election outcome, 54% said they would prefer an opposition victory, while just 14% said they would prefer the current governing coalition to win.

The political divide was especially pronounced based on ideology. Among respondents identifying as strongly liberal, 78% preferred an opposition victory and only 2% backed the coalition. Among strongly conservative respondents, however, 56% preferred the current coalition and just 8% favored the opposition.

Among Trump voters, 43% said they preferred the current Israeli coalition to win, while 34% said it was not their place to express a preference regarding the outcome of Israel’s elections.

Interest was even higher among American Jews who are eligible to vote in Israel, with 92% saying they are closely following the election. Among those respondents, 55% preferred an opposition victory and 26% favored the current coalition.

The survey also found that 65% of respondents believe it is entirely legitimate for Israelis living abroad to travel to Israel in order to cast their ballots.

JPPI President Prof. Yedidia Stern said the intense interest in Israel’s elections demonstrates that American Jews continue to view Israel as part of the same broader family, adding that rebuilding relations with American Jewry should be a central priority for Israel’s next government.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)