Poll: 32% of U.S. Jews say Lieberman as FM will weaken link to Israel

At least 32 percent of American Jews say that Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman's appointment as Foreign Minister would weaken their personal link to Israel, according to a poll whose results were released Monday.

The poll, commissioned by dovish Washington pro-Israel lobby J Street, said the respondents said this would happen because his positions "go against their core values." The proportion of respondents who said this under the age of 30 was even higher, standing at 40 percent.

In addition, the poll revealed that 41 percent of American Jews favor an attack on Iran if it acquires nuclear weapons, 40 percent oppose, and 16 percent chose neither.

The poll also showed the overwhelming majority of American Jews (76 percent) favor a two-state solution as the preferred way to end the Middle East conflict.

According to the poll, some 72 percent support the Obama administration's first steps in attempting to resolve the Israeli-Arab dispute. Also, 76 percent say Obama is a supporter of Israel, while 69 percent agree that he has a positive vision that can advance the Middle East peace process.

If the poll is any indication, most American Jews (69 percent) oppose Yisrael Beiteinu chief Avigdor Lieberman's positions vis-a-vis the Arab minority in Israel.

Nonetheless, 69 percent of U.S. Jews are in favor of working with a Palestinian unity government to advance the peace process with Israel.

U.S. Jews are ambivalent on Israel's handling of the recent Gaza war. While three-fourths of American Jews supported the Gaza operation and Israel's right to defend itself, 59 percent claimed that the war had no impact on Israel's security or made Israel less safe.

The poll also showed that 60 percent of U.S. Jews oppose settlement expansion in the West Bank while 40 percent are in favor. Among Orthodox Jews, 80 percent support more building in the settlements. Among Jews who donate to political campaigns, 72 percent oppose settlement expansion.