A public opinion poll published this week revealed that an overwhelming majority of Israelis see the American Jewish community as being essential to the continued existence of the Jewish state.
The poll was commissioned by the Ruderman Foundation ahead of a new program that will aim to better educate Israeli lawmakers and politicians about the American Jewish community.
The poll asked average Israelis if they support such a program, and 82 percent responded in the affirmative. An even larger 87 percent majority said they don’t believe Israel could survive without the American Jewish community.
There are actually more Jews living in America than in Israel (about 6.5 million in the US vs. 5.75 million in Israel). In addition to their ideological support, the American Jewish community provides enormous financial backing to the state and local charities, as well as substantial political support via American politics.