US Jews sour on Iran war: Just one-third now call campaign successful

**U.S. Jews’ Views on the Iran Campaign Shift Toward Negative Assessment, Survey Finds**

*August 30, 2026 – Jerusalem* – A new poll conducted by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) indicates that only one‑third of U.S. Jews now consider the United States’ recent military campaign against Iran to have been successful, while nearly two‑thirds view it as a failure.

The “Voice of the Jewish People Index,” released in August 2026, surveyed 804 U.S. respondents who identify as “connected” Jews—individuals with relatively strong ties to the Jewish community, Israel, or Jewish identity. JPPI cautioned that the sample is not representative of the broader U.S. Jewish population.

**Key findings**

* **Overall assessment:** 33 % of U.S. respondents said the campaign succeeded, 64 % said it failed, and 4 % were unsure. The proportion viewing the campaign as successful has declined steadily since March 2026, when 66 % expressed a positive view. The share rating it as a success fell to 56 % in April, 48 % in May, 28 % in June, rose slightly to 36 % in July, and settled at 33 % in August.

* **Political polarization:** Among strong liberals, 89 % judged the campaign a failure, whereas 80 % of strong conservatives deemed it a success. Among voters in the 2024 presidential election, 73 % of former Trump supporters said the campaign succeeded, compared with 84 % of former Harris supporters who said it failed.

* **Perceived scope of U.S. action:** 55 % of the “connected” U.S. Jewish respondents said the military action did not go far enough, 30 % believed it went too far, 3 % thought it was about right, and 12 % were uncertain. The split mirrors partisan lines: 64 % of strong liberals said the action went too far, while 96 % of lean conservatives and 93 % of strong conservatives said it did not go far enough. Among former Trump voters, 94 % said the action was insufficient, whereas 45 % of former Harris voters said it went too far.

* **Leadership ratings:** President Donald Trump’s leadership on Iran was rated “good” by 26 % of U.S. respondents in August, down from 46 % in March; 67 % rated his leadership “poor.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rating fell from 53 % “good” in March to 38 % in August, with 52 % rating his leadership “poor.” Strong conservatives overwhelmingly rated Netanyahu positively (92 %), while strong liberals did so at a rate of 11 %.

**International comparison**

The survey also included 136 Canadian and 68 British respondents. In Canada, the share viewing the campaign as successful dropped from 70 % in March to 37 % in August. In the United Kingdom, the figure fell from 75 % to 31 % over the same period. JPPI noted that the small sample sizes limit the ability to draw definitive conclusions about broader public opinion in those countries.

**Methodology and limitations**

The JPPI survey was conducted between August 15 and August 20, 2026. Respondents were selected to reflect “connected” Jews, a subgroup that JPPI says may hold stronger ties to Israel and Jewish identity than the general Jewish population. Consequently, the results are not intended to represent the views of all Jews in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.

**Context**

The United States launched a limited military operation against Iranian targets earlier in 2026, citing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities. The operation’s objectives and outcomes have been the subject of ongoing debate among policymakers, analysts, and community leaders. The JPPI poll provides a snapshot of how a specific segment of the Jewish diaspora perceives the campaign’s success and the adequacy of the U.S. response.

Article and image source: israelnationalnews.com