Palestinian supporters face supporters of Israel in Times Square on Oct. 13. Photo by Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

By Jacob Kornbluh November 20, 2023

An overwhelming majority of New Yorkers say they are concerned about antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war and believe Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks in Israel should be condemned without hesitation, according to a poll published Monday morning.

The Siena College survey showed that 73% recognize that Jews in New York are experiencing more antisemitic attacks and harassment, and most say it is due to the war. The same number of New York Jews say they contend with a “great deal” of antisemitism. 

With more than 1.8 million Jews, New York is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel. Antisemitic incidents, including on college campuses, have spiked in recent weeks since the Hamas-led surprise attack on Israel’s southern border, killing more than 1,200 people, including at least 30 American citizens. At least 239 Israelis and other nationals were abducted and are held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

The New York Police Department recorded 69 hate crimes against Jews across New York City in October, a 214% increase compared to the same month last year.

Part of a monthly survey of 803 registered voters conducted between Nov. 12 and 15 via landline, cellphone and web, the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

Support for Israel

A majority of respondents, 54%, also support Israel’s military response in the Gaza Strip, despite the rising number of Palestinian casualties. Israeli air strikes have killed more than 13,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. At least 65 Israeli soldiers died in ground battles with Hamas terrorists.

Last month’s survey showed that 50% of New Yorkers, including 58% of Democrats, were opposed to a large-scale ground operation in the Gaza Strip. It also showed that about a third of respondents — 32% — said Israel should be given the green light to eliminate the threat of Hamas regardless of the number of casualties.

New York elected officials have expressed strong support for Israel amid the war. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer traveled to Israel last month, and Israelis cheered New York City Mayor Eric Adams after he delivered a speech in which he robustly defended Israel’s right to defend itself and the city’s solidarity with the Jewish state.

Last week, a dozen Democratic lawmakers spent three days on a trip to Israel, visiting Kibbutz Kfar Aza, close to the Gaza border, where they witnessed burned out child care centers and homes riddled with hundreds of bullet holes.

Pressure on Israel

But support for Israeli military action has waned in recent weeks. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman and Nydia Velázquez, progressive members of the New York congressional delegation, have co-sponsored a House resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. The state’s two Jewish House members, Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman, urged Israel to consider larger humanitarian pauses in its offensive. According to the poll, 43% of those identifying as liberal voters, 28% of Black voters and 37% of Latino voters say Israel was left with no choice but to launch a military campaign against Hamas.

On the condemnation of Hamas, 59% of New Yorkers, including 59% of Democrats and 58% of voters aged 18-34, think its attack should be condemned “without hesitation or explanation,” as the question put it. About a third — 30% — said Israel’s killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza should be similarly condemned. And 25% believe the attacks were a result of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians in past decades. 

About half of those polled, 51%, support more military aid to Israel. A majority of Democrats, 53%, support the assistance package proposed by the Biden administration. But liberal voters are largely divided, and more Black and Latino voters are opposed.

The poll also shows that most New York Jews, 91%, and an overwhelming majority of Republicans, 67%, favor military operation in Gaza.

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