When the popular demagogue Linda Sarsour demonizes Zionism, she tends to talk in generalities, leaving its evils to the imagination of her audience. Considering her unconditional support for Louis Farrakhan and his own incitement of Jew-hatred, it is not difficult to figure our where Sarsour and her allies stand.
But Zionism, for all of Sarsour's talk, is simply the national movement of the Jewish people in support of the re-establishment of the Jewish homeland in its historic territory.
That being said, how many Jews in the US are Zionists, that is -- how many Jews are pro-Israel?
According to a national survey done last month by the Mellman Group, a lot:
While 32% of those surveyed were pro-Israel and supportive of its policies, 35% described themselves as pro-Israel while being critical of some of its policies and 24% described themselves as pro-Israel while remaining critical of many of its policies.
That's 91% - and the report itself actually puts the number at 92%:
Most Jewish voters (92%) consider themselves to be “generally pro-Israel,” but fewer than a third (32%) say that they are also supportive of the current Israeli government’s policies. A majority (59%) say that they are “pro-Israel,” but critical of at least some Israeli government policies, with 24% critical of many of the government’s policies.The implication?
Its one thing to generalize and attack the idea of Zionism, but when the real numbers indicate that the vast majority of Jews in the US are pro-Israel, attacks on Zionism and upon those who support Israel is no longer an abstraction.
But those same results play into another of Sarsour's attacks on the Jewish community.
Sarsour, who has difficulty dealing with criticism, reacted harshly to criticism of Ilhan Omar's support for BDS. Sarsour lashed out, claiming that Omar was
“being attacked for saying that she supports BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions) and the right for people to engage in constitutionally protected freedoms. This is not only coming from the right-wing but some folks who masquerade as progressives but always choose their allegiance to Israel over their commitment to democracy and free speech.”The claim of Jewish dual loyalty is, of course, an old antisemitic standard, something that Sarsour doesn't think applies when she talks about the Palestinian roots of herself and other Muslims.
But the same poll dashes that idea.
Jewish attitudes towards both Israel and the US defy the simplistic labeling tossed about by Sarsour:
According to the poll, despite 92% of Jews identifying as being pro-Israel -
o American Jews are not pro-Trump, despite his strong support for IsraelAnd this goes beyond being anti-Trump.
o American Jews oppose moving the US embassy to Jerusalem
o American Jews oppose the way Trump is handling US relations with Palestinian Arabs
According to The American Jewish Committee's 2007 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion, taken 11 years ago strong feelings about Israel did not translate into favoring Israel interests over US interests.
That fact has been a source of frustration because many would like to see that level of support for Israel to translate into support for politicians who are even stronger in their support for Israel.
At the same time, however, it proves the lie to the antisemitic incitement Sarsour tries to stir up against American Jews, claiming they are disloyal to the country they live in.