Three-quarters of Jews distrust Vance on antisemitism – poll

Just 11% of American Jews accept Vice President JD Vance’s claim that fears of antisemitism are overblown and largely reflect frustration with American foreign policy rather than genuine bigotry toward Jews.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Nearly three-quarters of American Jews do not trust Vice President JD Vance on the issue of antisemitism, a new poll shows, after the vice president appeared to defend far-right podcaster Tucker Carlson from accusations of antisemitism while minimizing the extent of antisemitism in the US.

In December, Vance said in an interview with UnHerd that much of what is labeled antisemitism is in reality a “backlash to the consensus view in American foreign policy” regarding Israel, arguing that the number of antisemitic Americans is in fact negligibly small.

Vance estimated that “99% of Republicans, and I think probably 97% of Democrats” are not antisemitic.

However, a poll released Tuesday by the Jewish People Policy Institute shows a widespread rejection by American Jews of Vance’s claims.

According to the survey, conducted earlier this month, just 11% of respondents agree with Vance’s argument that only a marginal number of Americans are antisemitic and that much of what is described as antisemitism in actuality merely reflects frustrations over foreign policy.

A whopping 73% of respondents said they rejected this interpretation, including 67% of Trump voters.

Furthermore, 74% of American Jews said they did not trust Vance to handle antisemitism, with 49% declaring complete distrust in the vice president on the issue.

The poll also surveyed American Jews for their opinions on the future of Judea and Samaria and how Israel should handle the Palestinian Authority.

Just 25% of respondents said they support deepening Israeli control over Judea and Samaria and expanding Jewish towns in the area, compared to 42% of Israeli Jews who favored this option in an October 2025 poll.

Over one-third (35%) said they support the establishment of a Palestinian state – compared to just 15% of Israeli Jews in the October poll – with another 35% backing separation from the Palestinians, while Israel retains freedom to operate militarily in Judea and Samaria.