Poll: Most of American Jews think Congress should approve Iran deal

HAARETZ – Most American Jews want Congress to approve the deal reached between world powers and Iran over its nuclear program, a poll released on Thursday showed.

According to the poll, sponsored by the L.A. Jewish Journal, 53 percent of those surveyed said Congress should approve the deal, while 35 percent said Congress should oppose it, compared to 41 percent and 38 percent, respectively, in the general population.

In answer to the direct question “Do you support or oppose the Iran deal,” however, 49 percent answered in the affirmative to 31 percent against.

According to the L.A. Journal, the survey’s results reflect a significant divide between the positions of most of the main Jewish groups, such as AIPAC and many Jewish Federations, and the majority of U.S. Jews.

According to officials in the pro-Israel camp, AIPAC will deploy about 300 lobbyists on Capitol Hill next week to try to convince lawmakers, especially undecided Democrats, to vote against the deal.

The Journal also pointed out that the survey’s results reflect a divide between U.S. and Israeli Jews, most of which are opposed to the deal.

While support for the deal did not vary much across various age groups, the survey found a ten point margin between supporters of the deal who have been to Israel and those who haven’t: Among the former, 48 percent were in favor of Congress approving the deal, with 58 percent among the latter.

Under a bill reluctantly signed into law by Obama in May, Congress has until Sept. 17 to decide whether to approve or reject the agreement between Iran and world powers to rein in Iran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.