The State of Antisemitism in America 2020: Survey of American Jews, conducted by the research company SSRS, is based on telephone interviews carried out September 9 - October 4, with a national sample of 1,334 Jews over age 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.2%. Find the methodology report here. American Jewish Committee (AJC) is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor endorses candidates for elective office.

This webpage includes comparative information from AJC’s 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

<< Download a copy of the 2020 results here >>

1. 

How much of a problem, if at all, do you think antisemitism is in the United States today?

   
A very serious problem
  37%
 
 
   
Somewhat of a problem
  51%
 
 
   
Not much of a problem
  10%
 
   
Not a problem at all
  1%
 
   

A Problem - 88%
Not a Problem - 11%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that that 88% of American Jews viewed antisemitism as a problem in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

2. 

Over the past five years, do you think antisemitism in the United States has…

   
Increased a lot
  43%
 
 
   
Increased somewhat
  39%
 
 
   
Stayed the same
  14%
 
   
Decreased a little
  2%
 
   
Decreased a lot
  1%
 
   

Increased - 82%
Decreased - 3%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that that 84% of American Jews believed that antisemitism in the U.S. had increased in the last five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

3. 

Compared to a year ago, is the status of Jews in the United States more secure or less secure?

   
More secure than a year ago
  4%
 
   
Less secure than a year ago
  43%
 
 
   
About the same as a year ago
  52%
 
 
   

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 42 percent of American Jews thought that the status of Jews in the U.S. was less secure than the year before. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

4a. 

Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic physical attack?

   
Yes, one time
 
  1%
 
   
Yes, more than one time
 
  2%
 
   
No
  97%
 
   

Yes - 3%
No - 97%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that two percent of American Jews had been the target of an antisemitic physical attack over the previous five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

4b. 

Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone?

   
Yes, one time
 
  7%
 
   
Yes, more than one time
 
  18%
 
   
No
  75%
 
 
   

Yes - 25%
No - 75%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 23% of American Jews had been the target of an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone over the previous five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

4c. 

Over the past five years, have you, yourself, been the target of an antisemitic remark online or through social media?

   
Yes, one time
 
  6%
 
   
Yes, more than one time
 
  16%
 
   
No
  77%
 
 
   

Yes - 22%
No - 77%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 20% of American Jews had been the target of an antisemitic remark antisemitic remark online or through social media over the previous five years. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

4d. 

Over the past five years, have you been the target of an antisemitic physical attack, an antisemitic remark in person, by mail, or by phone, or an antisemitic remark online or through social media?

   
Yes
  37%
 
 
   
Not a target/Don’t know
  63%
 
 
   

 

5a. 

Over the past five years, if you, yourself, were the target of an antisemitic attack or remark, did you report this incident or any of these incidents?

   
Yes, to the police
 
  4%
 
   
Yes, to the news media
 
  0%
 
   
Yes, to a Jewish organization
 
  5%
 
   
Yes, through social media
 
  19%
 
   
No, I did not report it
  76%
 
 
   

Total reported incident - 28%
Did not report incident - 76%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that of those who were the target of an antisemitic incident or remark over the previous five year, 26% of American Jews reported the incident, while 75% did not. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

5b. 

On which social media platform(s) were you the target of an antisemitic attack or remark?

   
Facebook
  62%
 
 
   
Twitter
  33%
 
 
   
Youtube
 
  10%
 
   
Instagram
 
  12%
 
   
Snapchat
 
  5%
 
   
TikTok
 
  2%
 
   
Some other platform
 
  10%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  4%
 
   

 

5c. 

Did the social media or online service you reported the incident to take any steps to respond to your report?

   
Yes
  53%
 
 
   
No
  46%
 
 
   

 

6. 

Over the past five years, have you or anyone you know experienced antisemitism on a college campus?

   
Yes, you personally
 
  1%
 
   
Yes, someone you know
 
  17%
 
   
Yes, both myself and someone I know
 
  4%
 
   
No
  76%
 
 
   
Don’t know/refused
 
  2%
 
   

Yes - 22%
No - 76%
Don’t know/refused - 2%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that over the previous five years 19% of American Jews either experienced antisemitism themselves on a college campus or knew someone who did. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

7. 

Do you ever avoid certain places, events, or situations out of concern for your safety or comfort as a Jew?

   
Yes, always
 
  4%
 
   
Yes, frequently
 
  3%
 
   
Yes, sometimes 
 
  24%
 
   
No, never
  68%
 
 
   

Yes - 31%
No - 68%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 25% of American Jews avoid certain places, events, or situations out of concern for their safety or comfort as a Jew. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

8a. 

Have you avoided visiting Jewish institutions or participating in Jewish events because you would not feel safe there?

   
Yes
 
  10%
 
   
No
  90%
 
 
   

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 5% of American Jews avoided visiting Jewish institutions or participating in Jewish events because they would not feel safe there. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

8b. 

Over the past two years, have you avoided publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying things that might help people identify you as a Jew?

   
Yes
  24%
 
 
   
No
  76%
 
 
   

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that over the past five years, 31% of American Jews avoided publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying things that might help people identify them as a Jew. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

8c. 

Have you avoided posting content online that would identify you as a Jew or reveal your views on Jewish issues?

   
Yes
  24%
 
 
   
No
  75%
 
 
   

 

9a. 

Have any Jewish institutions with which you are affiliated been targets of antisemitism?

   
Antisemitic graffiti 
 
  17%
 
   
Antisemitic attacks 
 
  8%
 
   
Antisemitic threats 
 
  16%
 
   
None of these
  59%
 
 
   
Not affiliated with any Jewish institutions
 
  10%
 
   
Don’t know
 
  3%
 
   

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 33% of American Jews reported that the Jewish institution with which they are affiliated have been a target of antisemitism. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

9b. 

In response to the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, have any of the Jewish institutions you are affiliated with increased security measures or is security about the same?

   
Increased
  56%
 
 
   
About the same
  32%
 
 
   
Not affiliated
 
  5%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  6%
 
   

 

10a. 

To what extent, if at all, do you think the Democratic Party holds antisemitic views?

   
A lot
 
  11%
 
   
Some
  26%
 
 
   
Not much
  32%
 
 
   
Not at all
  29%
 
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  2%
 
   

A lot/Some - 37%
Not much/at all - 61%
Don't know or refused - 2%

 

10b. 

To what extent, if at all, do you think the Republican Party holds antisemitic views?

   
A lot
  27%
 
 
   
Some
  42%
 
 
   
Not much
 
  13%
 
   
Not at all
 
  15%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  3%
 
   

A lot/Some - 69%
Not much/at all - 28%
Don't know or refused - 3%

 

11a. 

In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does the extreme political right represent in the United States today?

   
Very serious threat
  49%
 
 
   
Moderately serious threat
  26%
 
 
   
Slight threat
  14%
 
   
No threat at all
 
  8%
 
   
Don’t know/refused
  3%
 
   

A threat - 89%
Not a threat - 8%
Don't know/refused - 3%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 89% of American Jews believed that the extreme political right represents an antisemitic threat in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

11b. 

In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does the extreme political left represent in the United States today?

   
Very serious threat
 
  16%
 
   
Moderately serious threat
 
  16%
 
   
Slight threat
  29%
 
 
   
No threat at all
  36%
 
 
   
Don’t know/refused
  3%
 
   

A threat - 61%
Not a threat - 26%
Don't know/refused - 3%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 64% of American Jews believed that the extreme political left represents an antisemitic threat in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

11c. 

In your view, how much of an antisemitic threat does extremism in the name of Islam represent in the United States today?

   
Very serious threat
  27%
 
 
   
Moderately serious threat
  26%
 
 
   
Slight threat
  32%
 
 
   
No threat at all
 
  13%
 
   
Don’t know/refused
  2%
 
   

A threat - 85%
Not a threat - 13%
Don't know/refused - 2%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 85% of American Jews believed extremism in the name of Islam represents an antisemitic threat in the U.S. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

12. 

How effective do you think law enforcement is in responding to the security needs of Jews?

   
Very effective
  22%
 
   
Somewhat effective
  56%
 
 
   
Not too effective
  14%
 
   
Not at all effective
  5%
 
   
Don't know/refused
  3%
 
   

Effective - 78%
Not effective - 19%
Don't know/refused - 3%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 81% of American Jews believed law enforcement to be effective in responding to the security needs of Jews. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

13a. 

How familiar are you with the BDS movement?

   
Very familiar
 
  25%
 
   
Somewhat familiar
  36%
 
 
   
Not too familiar
 
  18%
 
   
Not at all familiar
 
  21%
 
   

Familiar - 61%
Not familiar - 39%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 26% of American Jews were very familiar with the BDS movement, 36% were somewhat familiar, 14% were not too familiar, and 24% not all familiar. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

13b. 

Do you view the BDS movement as antisemitic?

   
Mostly antisemitic
  37%
 
 
   
Some antisemitic supporters
  43%
 
 
   
Not antisemitic
 
  15%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  5%
 
   

Mostly antisemitic/has antisemitic supporters - 80%
Not antisemitic - 15%
Don't know - 5%

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 35% of American Jews view the BDS movement as antisemitic, 47% said some supporters of it were antisemitic, 14% said it was not antisemitic, and 4% did not know. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

14a. 

Do you view the statement, “Israel has no right to exist,” as antisemitic or not?

   
Yes, antisemitic
  85%
 
 
   
No, not antisemitic
 
  14%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  1%
 
   

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 84% of American Jews viewed the statement, “Israel has no right to exist,” as antisemitic. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

14b. 

Do you view the statement, “The U.S. government only supports Israel because of Jewish money,” as antisemitic or not?

   
Yes, antisemitic
  84%
 
 
   
No, not antisemitic
 
  15%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  1%
 
   

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 80% of American Jews viewed the statement, “The U.S. government only supports Israel because of Jewish money,” as antisemitic. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

14c. 

Do you view the statement, “American Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America,” as antisemitic or not?

   
Yes, antisemitic
  76%
 
 
   
No, not antisemitic
 
  22%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  2%
 
   

Comparison: AJC’s 2019 survey found that 73% of American Jews viewed the statement, “American Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America,” as antisemitic. Click here to view the AJC 2019 Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America.

 

15a. 

How much do you know about the Holocaust?

   
A lot
  84%
 
 
   
Some
 
  15%
 
   
Not much
 
  0%
 
   
Not at all
 
  0%
 
   

 

15b. 

How important do you think it is for schools to teach middle and high school students the history of the Holocaust?

   
Very important
  91%
 
 
   
Somewhat important
  8%
 
   
Not too important
 
  0%
 
   
Not at all important
 
  0%
 
   
Don't know/refused
 
  1%
 
   

 

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<< Download a copy of the 2020 results here >>