Most American Jews Feel Politically Homeless, New Poll Finds

A sweeping new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has laid bare a profound sense of political alienation among American Jews: only 15% say the Democratic Party supports them well, and just 16% say the same of the Republican Party. The findings, published July 9, capture a community caught between two parties it no longer fully trusts, at a time when 63% of Jewish adults say antisemitism is an extremely or very serious problem in the United States.

A Community Adrift

The poll, which surveyed 3,040 U.S. adults including 1,022 Jewish adults from June 11-17, reveals a striking departure from the historically reliable Democratic alignment of Jewish voters. Half of Jewish adults now view the Democratic Party unfavorably, while 71% view the Republican Party unfavorably — including 53% who hold a “very unfavorable” opinion. Just 28% of Jewish adults view the GOP favorably.

According to AP-NORC’s official project page, this sense of limited political support is reflected across the board. About half of Jewish adults say President Donald Trump and Republicans don’t support Jewish people in the U.S. well. The findings come amid heightened concern about antisemitism and ongoing debate about U.S. policy in the Middle East, nearly three years after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack triggered the war in Gaza.

Voices from the Poll

The raw numbers are given human dimension by the voices of poll respondents. Yahm Levin, a 39-year-old Jewish Democrat from Los Angeles, told AP she sometimes uses her middle name to avoid being identified as Jewish in progressive circles.

“I don’t really feel comfortable in leftist circles anymore,” said Levin, a former librarian. “I just want to be a Jewish American who has a connection to Israel. But I feel like I can’t do that. And it’s very frustrating. And sometimes a little scary.”

On the other side of the political spectrum, Max Sacher, a 27-year-old Jewish Republican from Austin, Texas, expressed similar disorientation. “I feel very lost politically,” he said. “I used to have a home. Now I feel like I’m on an island in modern-day politics.”

Ellen Kuberski, a 72-year-old Jewish Democrat from Chicago, captured the cross-pressures many feel: “I tend to be more in line with the far left in just about everything else. But now the far left is attacking the Jewish community.”

The Antisemitism Perception Gap

One of the most striking findings is the gulf between Jewish and non-Jewish perceptions of antisemitism. While 63% of Jewish adults see prejudice against Jewish people as a serious problem, only 38% of U.S. adults overall share that concern. A full 77% of Jewish adults say there is more prejudice against Jewish people compared with three years ago — before the Oct. 7 attack.

This gap has real-world implications, as a companion AP-NORC poll reveals deep internal divisions within the Jewish community itself. About 7 in 10 Jewish adults identify as Jewish by religion; the remaining 3 in 10 are religiously unaffiliated but identify as Jewish culturally or ethnically. These groups diverge sharply on Israel: religiously affiliated Jews are far more likely to see support for Israel as central to their identity, while secular Jews are more critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Political Figures and Favorability

The poll also measured attitudes toward key political figures. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim Democrat and vocal Israel critic, is viewed favorably by 44% of Jewish adults — making him more popular among them than either Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (about one-third favorable) or President Trump (29% favorable). Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, one of the nation’s most prominent Jewish Democratic officials, remains unknown to about 4 in 10 Jewish adults.

The ‘Politically Homeless’ Phenomenon

The sense of alienation stems from simultaneous pressures on both sides. On the left, the Democratic Party’s progressive wing has become increasingly critical of Israel, with some activists and candidates crossing into rhetoric that many Jewish voters find antisemitic. A deep-dive report from Houston Public Media documented how the Texas Democratic Convention in June 2026 considered nearly 20 resolutions targeting Israel, leaving many Jewish attendees feeling unwelcome.

On the right, while the Republican Party and Trump have positioned themselves as staunchly pro-Israel, the rise of far-right white nationalist elements within the GOP has alienated some Jewish Republicans. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has publicly warned about antisemitism on the right, telling the Republican Jewish Coalition that he sees “a real possibility” of both major parties becoming “unambiguously anti-Israel and unapologetically antisemitic.”

What This Means for 2026

With midterm elections approaching in November, the poll raises urgent questions about Jewish voter engagement. Jewish voters made up 3% of the 2024 electorate and voted 66% for Kamala Harris, but the current sense of disillusionment could suppress turnout or create openings for new political alignments.

Yehuda Kurtzer, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute, offered a sobering assessment: “You don’t have a luxury in a two-party system of abandoning both parties. The decision to abandon both parties is a decision to become powerless.”

Norri Leder, founder of Houston Jewish Women Vote, acknowledged the temptation to disengage but urged against it: “For the first time in my life, I understand people not wanting to vote. I don’t advise it.”

The poll makes clear that American Jews are not simply switching parties — they are questioning the entire framework of political representation. How the major parties respond could reshape one of the most consequential voting blocs in American politics for years to come.