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The results of the 2009 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion, sponsored by the American Jewish Committee, are remarkable. including responses on U.S.-Israel relations, the Arab-Israel conflict, and the Iran nuclear threat.
A. US-Israel Relations
1. How would you characterize relations between Israel and the United States today? Are they very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative, or very negative?
Very positive 11
Somewhat positive 70
Somewhat negative 14
Very negative 2
Not sure 3
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama Administration’s handling of US-Israel relations?
Approve 54
Disapprove 32
Not sure 14
3. Do you approve or disapprove of the Netanyahu government’s handling of Israel-US relations?
Approve 59
Disapprove 23
Not sure 17
4. Do you agree or disagree with the Obama Administration’s call for a stop to all new Israeli settlement construction?
Agree 41
Disagree 51
Not sure 8
B. Arab-Israel Conflict
5. As compared with one year ago, are you more optimistic about the chance for a lasting peace between Israel and the Arabs, less optimistic, or do you think the chance for a lasting peace is about the same as it was one year ago?
More optimistic 12
Less optimistic 23
Same as one year ago 65
Not sure 1
6. In the current situation, do you favor or oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state?
Favor 49
Oppose 41
Not sure 1
7. In the framework of a permanent peace with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to compromise on the status of Jerusalem as a united city under Israeli jurisdiction?
Yes 37
No 58
Not Sure 6
8. As part of a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, should Israel be willing to dismantle all, some, or none of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank?
All 8
Some 52
None 37
Not sure 2
9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “The goal of the Arabs is not the return of occupied territories but rather the destruction of Israel.”
Agree 75
Disagree 19
Not Sure 5
10. Do you think there will or will not come a time when Israel and its Arab neighbors will be able to settle their differences and live in peace?
Will 43
Will not 51
Not Sure 6
11. Do you think that Israel can or cannot achieve peace with a Hamas-led Palestinian government?
Can 17
Cannot 79
Not Sure 4
12. Should the Palestinians be required or not be required to recognize Israel as a Jewish state in a final peace agreement?
Required 94
Not required 5
Not Sure 2
C. International Issues
13. Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama Administration’s handling of the Iran nuclear issue?
Approve 49
Disapprove 35
Not sure 15
14. Would you support or oppose the United States taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?
Support 56
Oppose 36
Not sure 7
15. Would you support or oppose Israel taking military action against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?
Support 66
Oppose 28
Not sure 5
16. Do you think that anti-Semitism around the world is currently a very serious problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem at all?
Very Serious problem 56
Somewhat of a problem 43
Not a problem at all 1
Not sure 1
17. Looking ahead over the next several years, do you think that anti-Semitism around the world will increase greatly, increase somewhat, remain the same, decrease somewhat, or decrease greatly?
Increase greatly 15
Increase somewhat 30
Remain the same 42
Decrease somewhat 9
Decrease greatly 1
Not sure 2
D. Background Factors
18. In politics as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?
Republican 16
Democrat 53
Independent 30
Not sure 1
19. Do you think of yourself as . . .
Orthodox 9
Conservative 24
Reconstructionist 2
Reform 27
Just Jewish 36
Not sure 1
20. How important would you say being Jewish is in your own life?
Very important 51
Fairly important 33
Not very important 15
Not sure 1
21. How close do you feel to Israel?
Very close 28
Fairly close 41
Fairly distant 22
Very distant 8
Not sure 1
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 8:45 
Recent clashes between Israeli policemen and Palestinian demonstrators flared again this weekend in East Jerusalem. On Sunday, the Islamic Movement urged protesters to come to the Temple Mount to "defend Al-Aqsa [Mosque]". After this announcement, Israeli police closed the Temple Mount compound on Sunday morning and reopened it, but only to those of certain ages, later in the day.