A SURVEY ABOUT ATTITUDES TOWARDS JEWS IN AMERICA 2
METHODOLOGY On behalf of the Anti-Defamation League, Marttila Strategies conducted a national telephone survey of 1680 adults between October 12 and October 22, 2013. The base sample is 1,200 plus an oversample of 281 African Americans, and 199 Hispanics, bringing the oversample for both communities to 400 each. For those questions answered by all 1,200 respondents, the survey results have a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent. For many questions, the survey used the technique of “split sampling,” a process in which the 1200 person sample was split into two demographically representative samples of 600 respondents each. For those questions that were answered by 600 respondents, the survey has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent. For those questions that were answered by 400 respondents, the margin of error is +/- 4.9 percent. The purpose of split sampling in the survey was to maximize the number of questions that could be asked, to test different hypotheses about an issue, and to test the impact of different question wording. 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ANTI-SEMITIC PROPENSITIES: 2013 • Remarkably, since 1964, approximately 30 percent of Americans have consistently believed that Jews are more loyal to Israel Anti-Semitic propensities have declined to twelve than to America, even though the makeup of the U.S. percent, matching the lowest scores recorded in ADL population has changed dramatically during these years. research on the matter: twelve percent in 1998 and • Hispanics born outside of the U.S. are significantly more likely 2009. than Hispanics born in the U.S. to hold anti-Semitic views. • • Anti-Semitic Education remains a strong predictor of anti-Semitic propensities within the African-American propensities. The most well educated Americans are population continue to be higher than the general population, remarkably free of prejudicial views, while less educated but are in decline. Americans are more likely to hold anti-Semitic views. • The steady growth of the U.S. Hispanic population – now at 15 • Age is also a strong predictor of anti-Semitic propensities. percent of the adult population – means that Hispanics, Younger Americans – under 39 – are also remarkably free of combined with African Americans (12 percent), now comprise prejudicial views. 27 percent of the American population, a number that is sure to grow in the coming years. This population increase of the most • Perceptions of disproportionate Jewish power in the U.S. anti-Semitic cohorts also means that it will be an ongoing continue to dominate the views of the most anti-Semitic. challenge to reduce overall anti-Semitic propensities. 4
ANTI-SEMITIC PROPENSITIES IN AMERICA 2013 5
ANTI-SEMITIC PROPENSITIES IN 2013 HAVE DECLINED TO TWELVE PERCENT, MATCHING THE LOWEST SCORES RECORDED BY ADL RESEARCH – IN 1998 AND 2009. Anti-Semitic Propensities in the United States 1964-2013 35% 29% 30% 25% 20% 20% 17% 15% 14% 14% 15% 12% 12% 12% 10% 5% 0% 1964 1992 1998 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 6
ANTI-SEMITIC PROPENSITIES ARE MEASURED BY AN 11-QUESTION INDEX, DEVELOPED BY ADL NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO. THE ADL INDEX INCLUDES 11 INDEX STATEMENTS, WHICH ARE INCLUDED RANDOMLY WITHIN A LONGER LIST. THESE ARE USED TO GAUGE RESPONDENTS’ ANTI -SEMITIC PROPENSITIES. Over the years there have been slight changes in the wording of the 11 Index statements to keep them relevant and contemporary, but the basic structure of the Index has remained consistent since 1992. • Respondents who agreed with 0-1 of the Index statements are considered to be essentially free of prejudicial attitudes toward Jews. • Those respondents who agreed with 2-5 of the Index statements are considered to be neither prejudiced nor unprejudiced. • Respondents who agreed with 6 or more of the Index statements are considered the most anti-Semitic group of Americans and have been isolated for special analysis and demographic identification. 7
THE ELEVEN-QUESTION INDEX TO MEASURE ANTI- SEMITIC PROPENSITIES. Anti-Semitic Index: OVERVIEW OF ADL’S ANTI -SEMITIC INDEX: • Jews stick together more than other Americans. Index statements are included randomly within a longer list of Respondents who agreed with 0-1 of • Jews always like to be at the head of things. the Index statements are considered to be • Jews are more loyal to Israel than America. essentially free of prejudicial attitudes toward • Jews have too much power in the U.S. today. Jews positive and negative statements about Jews. • Jews have too much control and influence on Wall Street. These statements are introduced to respondents • Jews have too much power in the business world. as follows: • Jews have a lot of irritating faults. • Jews are more willing than others to use shady practices to “Now, I am going to read you a list of statements get what they want. about Jews, including several that were made • Jewish business people are so shrewd that others don’t have many years ago. For each one, please tell me a fair chance at competition. whether you think that statement is probably true • Jews don’t care what happens to anyone but their own kind. or probably false.” • Jews are (not) just as honest as other business people . 8
THE ADL INDEX CATEGORIZES AMERICANS BASED ON HOW MANY INDEX QUESTIONS THEY THOUGHT WERE “PROBABLY TRUE.” 0-1 Range: Those essentially free of anti-Semitic views 2-5 Range: Those neither prejudiced or unprejudiced 6 + Range: Those with the most anti-Semitic views 57% 60% 53% 52% 52% 50% 36% 40% 33% 33% 31% 30% 15% 20% 14% 12% 12% 10% 0% 2007 2009 2011 2013 0-1 index 2-5 index 6+ index 9
CONCERNS ABOUT JEWISH POWER DRIVE ANTI- SEMITIC PROPENSITIES. Percentage of the most anti- Semitic Americans who said, “Probably True.” 90% 84% 82% 85% 79% 78% 78% 77% 80% 74% 78% 76% 75% 75% 72% 71% 70% 69% 68% 71% 70% 65% 67% 67% 66% 60% 64% 64% 55% 50% 1992 1998 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Business Power Control Wall St. U.S. Power 10
SINCE 1964, 30 PERCENT OF AMERICANS HAVE CONSISTENTLY BELIEVED THAT JEWS ARE MORE LOYAL TO ISRAEL THAN TO AMERICA, DESPITE THE CHANGING MAKEUP OF THE U.S. POPULATION. Percentage of Americans who believe Jews are more loyal to Israel than to America, 1964 - 2013 36% 35% 35% 34% 33% 33% 33% 32% 31% 31% 31% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 29% 28% 27% 1964 1992 1998 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 11
TOTAL NUMBER OF AMERICANS AGREEING WITH KEY INDEX QUESTIONS. Percent of Americans who answered, “Probably True.” 0.5 42% 0.4 31% 0.3 35% 20% 21% 15% 15% 0.2 14% 14% 19% 13% 17% 11% 15% 15% 15% 19% 13% 13% 17% 16% 16% 16% 0.1 15% 14% 13% 0 1964 1992 1998 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Power in US Shady Practices Shrewdness 12
TOTAL NUMBER OF AMERICANS AGREEING WITH KEY INDEX QUESTIONS. Percent of Americans who answered, “Probably True.” 45% 40% 40% 35% 30% 27% 30% 25% 29% 20% 19% 22% 18% 17% 17% 20% 24% 24% 16% 20% 15% 16% 20% 16% 20% 15% 19% 19% 15% 18% 14% 14% 13% 16% 10% 1964 1992 1998 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Power in Biz Control of WS Irritating Faults 13
TOTAL NUMBER OF AMERICANS AGREEING WITH KEY INDEX QUESTIONS. Percent of Americans who answered, “Probably True.” 40% 35% 33% 33% 31% 31% 35% 30% 30% 30% 30% 28% 30% 25% 26% 16% 20% 14% 14% 14% 14% 14% 12% 12% 15% 16% 16% 16% 10% 14% 13% 12% 12% 5% 9% 0% 1964 1992 1998 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Only care for own More loyal to Israel Not as honest 14
THE MOST EDUCATED AMERICANS ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO HOLD ANTI-SEMITIC VIEWS. Well educated Americans are the most tolerant 25% 22% 21% 19% 19% 20% 14% 13% 15% 12% 11% 10% 9% 8% 8% 10% 5% 0% 2007 2009 2011 2013 HS or Less 6+ index Some College 6+ index College Grad+ 6+ index 15
HIGHER LEVELS OF EDUCATION INEVITABLY LEAD TO GREATER TOLERANCE. Well educated Americans are remarkably free of anti-Semitic attitudes 70% 64% 59% 60% 54% 52% 50% 42% 38% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% HS or Less 0-1 index Some College 0-1 index College Grad+ 0-1 index 2011 2013 16
THE 50 PERCENT OF AMERICANS WHO SCORED 0-1 ON THE INDEX ARE REMARKABLY FREE OF ANTI- SEMITIC VIEWS. Americans in the 0-1 category on key index questions. 100% 78% 80% 70% 64% 60% 40% 20% 1% 1% 0% 0% Shady Prac Power in US Power in Biz 0-1 Index 6+ Index 17
JEWS ARE HELD IN HIGH REGARD ON MANY CORE BELIEFS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Even Americans who hold the most anti-Semitic views agree with many positive statements about Jews. 100% 78% 75% 74% 80% 70% 65% 60% 45% 40% 20% 0% Strong Faith Culture Contrib Family impor Gen Pop 6+ indexers 18
ONE FOURTH OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT JEWS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF CHRIST. Percentage of Americans who said, “Jews were responsible for the death of Christ.” 57% 60% 55% 54% 51% 50% 40% 31% 29% 27% 26% 30% 20% 10% 0% 2007 2009 2011 2013 Gen Pop 6+ Indexers 19
A QUARTER OF AMERICANS CONTINUE TO BELIEVE JEWS STILL TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM IN THE HOLOCAUST. Percentage of Americans who said, “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.” 80% 69% 68% 68% 66% 60% 40% 26% 25% 25% 24% 20% 0% 2007 2009 2011 2013 Gen Pop 6+ indexers 20
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