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By Suzanne Blake
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A majority of Jewish Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s decision to wage war against Iran, according to a new national survey released Monday by the Jewish Electorate Institute (JEI).
The poll, conducted in mid‑March among 800 registered Jewish voters, found that 55 percent disapprove of U.S. military action against Iran, while 32 percent approve, and the remainder say they are undecided or conflicted.
Nearly half of respondents said they strongly disapprove of the war, the survey also shows.
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Why It Matters
The poll reveals growing disconnect between Trump’s foreign policy decisions and views of a majority of Jewish American voters, a group that has historically been attentive to U.S. policy toward Israel and the Middle East.
While opposition to Iran’s government is widespread, the JEl poll finds that most Jewish voters disapprove of both the method and scope of the war that was launched on February 28.
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What To Know
Nearly three‑quarters of Jewish voters said Trump should have sought congressional authorization before initiating military action, including a sizable share of respondents who otherwise support the war, according to JEI.
Beyond approval ratings, the poll examined how the conflict is shaping Jewish communal life. A 60 percent majority said the Iran war is very likely to be discussed at Passover seders this year, making it the most anticipated topic of conversation.
More than half of respondents said antisemitism is also very likely to come up at holiday gatherings, reflecting anxiety about domestic fallout from the conflict alongside concern over other events overseas.
While a clear majority disapprove of the war, the poll highlights a more complicated emotional landscape. JEI found that a significant minority of respondents describe themselves as “torn,” saying that while they view Iran as a serious threat, they do not believe the current military action is the right approach.
The survey also shows unease over the broader implications of a joint U.S.-Israel military campaign. Roughly 54 percent of Jewish voters expressed concern that the war could become a long‑term problem for American Jews by complicating perceptions of U.S. foreign policy and Israel’s role in it.
What People Are Saying
Trump, this month at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual fundraising dinner: “I won’t use the word ‘war’ because they say if you use the word ‘war,’ that’s maybe not a good thing to do. They don’t like the word ‘war’ because you’re supposed to get approval. So, I’ll use the word ‘military operation,’ which is really what it is. It’s a military decimation.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, to reporters: “Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime and false reporting, talks are continuing and going well. What is said publicly is, of course, much different than what’s being communicated to us privately.”
What Happens Next
The next phase of the Iran war hinges on whether diplomacy holds. Trump has paused U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure through April 6, saying the move is tied to ongoing talks, though Iranian officials have publicly disputed that characterization.
Trump has warned that military action could resume if negotiations fail.
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