New Poll Reveals How Unrepresentative Neocon Jewish Groups Are

from Salon, via CommonDreams:



Published on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 by Salon.com
New Poll Reveals How Unrepresentative Neocon Jewish Groups Are
by Glenn Greenwald


A new survey of American Jewish opinion, released by the American Jewish Committee, demonstrates several important propositions: (1) right-wing neocons (the Bill Kristol/Commentary/ AIPAC/Marty Peretz faction) who relentlessly claim to speak for Israel and for Jews generally hold views that are shared only by a small minority of American Jews; (2) viewpoints that are routinely demonized as reflective of animus towards Israel or even anti-Semitism are ones that are held by large majorities of American Jews; and (3) most American Jews oppose U.S. military action in the Middle East — including both in Iraq and against Iran.

It is beyond dispute that American Jews overwhelmingly oppose core neoconservative foreign policy principles. Hence, in large numbers, they disapprove of the way the U.S. is handling its “campaign against terrorism” (59-31); overwhelmingly believe the U.S. should have stayed out of Iraq (67-27); believe that things are going “somewhat badly” or “very badly” in Iraq (76-23); and believe that the “surge” has either made things worse or has had no impact (68-30).

When asked whether they would support or oppose the United States taking military action against Iran, a large majority — 57-35% — say they would oppose such action, even if it were being undertaken “to prevent from developing nuclear weapons.” While Jews hold views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which are quite pessimistic about the prospects for Israel’s ability to achieve a lasting peace with its “Arab neighbors,” even there, a plurality (46-43) supports the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In the realm of U.S. domestic politics, it is even clearer that right-wing neoconservatives are a fringe segment of American Jewish public opinion. By a large margin, American Jews identify as some shade of liberal rather than conservative (43-25), and overwhelmingly identify themselves as Democrats rather than Republicans (58-15). And, most strikingly, by a 3-1 margin (61-21), they believe that Democrats, rather than Republicans, are “more likely to make the right decision about the war in Iraq,” and by a similarly lopsided margin (53-30), believe that Democrats are “more likely to make the right decision when it comes to dealing with terrorism.” They have overwhelmingly favorable views of the top 3 Democratic presidential candidates, and overwhelmingly negative views of 3 out of the top 4 GOP candidates (Giuliani being the sole exception, where opinion is split).

Contrary to the bottomless obssession which most neocon pundits and office-holders have with All Matters Israel, the principal political concerns of most American Jews have nothing to do with the Middle East. Thus, they identify “economy/jobs” (22) and “health care” (19) — not Terrorism — as “the most important problem facing the U.S. today.” Still, most American Jews agree that “aring about Israel is a very important part of being a Jew” — a common, innocuous and indisputable attribute that typically triggers noxious charges of anti-Semitism if pointed out by those who oppose the neoconservative agenda. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/12/5792/

Unless they say something that implies a stereotype of Jews?

That gets thrown around here pretty freely when we are only discussing how Israel deals with her neighbors and the Palestinians. In a similar policy debate, no one would call someone the disagree with an anti-France-ite or an anti-Guam ite.

I'm really tired of being called anti-semitic simply because I criticize Israel. I have nothing whatsoever against Judaism. I do, however, think Israel is a rogue state that is actively committing genocide against the Palestinians. This is a criticism, not a slur against their religion.

you criticized any Muslim country--oh wait, hating Muslims is our official foreign policy now.

Yes, a moratorium needs to be passed and it is the pre-emptive "I guess I will be called an anti-Semite" before anyone has even introduced such a concept! There are way more people claiming to be "victims" of being called an anti-Semite than those actually being called one. Also, it might help if some here could learn the difference between a poster calling another poster an anti-Semite (a violation of DU rules) and when the poster is calling the post anti-Semitic (not a violation of DU rules).

You can't generalize when it comes to Israel. They have 17 political parties. The Palestine issue want to be resolved by progressive Jews. Reactionary Jewish rightists such as the Likud party and some orthodox jewish parties take their cues from the American Republican Party. As far as American Jewry goes, only a minute group of Jews such as William Kristol have subscribed to Neo-Conservative veiws. Right wing Jewish boardcasters like Dennis Preggar, Mike Medved and even Mike Savage reads Neo-Con talking points on the air. Their listening audience is smaller than Bushes brain. Not to worry...
The real issue is the link below..

http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/videolinks/videolink_354.html

Christians embrace?

I am not surprised that the Wolfowitzes do not represent them anymore than the Bush/Cheney ideologues and their evangelical flat earthers rep the Christian majority. Hey, Joe "Lie"berman, how about those numbers, you Independent b_____d?

fundamentalists 'seem' to really support Israel when in actuality, they are supporting a belief regarding the 'end times'. They don't really give a rat's ass about Israel or Jews other than the way it fits the prophecy of Revelations - after which the Jews can all just go to hell - oh wait, that's what they think is supposed to happen.