(DENVER, CO) — In a recent survey conducted on behalf of JEWISHcolorado, the Benenson Strategy Group polled more than 600 adults in Colorado and found that nearly 7-in-10 Coloradans support Israel’s right to exist. In response to last spring’s encampments and campus protests, an overwhelming majority say it’s important for college administrators to protect the safety of Jewish students on campus. Further, a strong majority of Coloradans believe it is important to fight antisemitism.
“This research demonstrates the strong support in our Colorado community for Israelis as well as the protection of Jews right here at home in an environment of growing antisemitism,” said Matt Most, Interim Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).
Other survey findings include:
Coloradans are aware of and paying attention to the Israel/Hamas war and the rise in antisemitism, however, it is much less an issue to them than more social and domestic issues.
- 62% of Coloradans are following news about the Israel/Hamas war very or somewhat closely while 51% are following news about the rise of antisemitism. For comparison, 85% are following news about inflation, 78% are following news about the cost of housing and 75% are following news about the presidential election.
- Their concern over these issues corresponds with how closely they are following the news. 64% are very or somewhat concerned about the Israel/Hamas war and 59% are concerned with the rise of antisemitism. In comparison, 91% are concerned about inflation, 86% are concerned with the cost of housing, 84% are concerned about healthcare and 81% are concerned about the presidential election.
Coloradans overwhelmingly support Israel’s right to exist and stand with Jewish Coloradans against antisemitism.
- Nearly 7-in-10 Coloradans support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, including 66% of those who identify as liberal or progressive.
- A strong majority of Coloradans, including younger and liberal/progressive Coloradans, agree that fighting antisemitism is important. 63% of adults and 67% of liberals/progressives agree the rise in antisemitism is a serious issue that needs to be addressed – and 82% of adults and 87% of liberals/progressives agree it is important that we fight hate in all its forms, including antisemitism.
Despite overwhelming support for Israel’s right to exist, few Coloradans identify as Zionists – most likely because they are unfamiliar with the term.
- Only 28% of Coloradans claimed to know what the term “Zionist” means, including 33% of conservatives and 30% of liberals/progressives
- Even among those who said they know what “Zionist” means, many were unable to give an accurate definition, with some saying things like, “A person of Jewish beliefs” or “One who supports the ideals of Zion.”
Notably, there is some uncertainty about what antisemitism really is, giving organizations the opportunity to improve education around this issue in Colorado.
- While Coloradans acknowledge rising antisemitism as a problem that is getting worse, only 2-in-3 say they know what it means and many of those respondents were wrong in their definitions.
- A plurality of Coloradans (37%) see antisemitism in their local communities and 28% say it is more than last year
- When shown statistics from the ADL saying, “antisemitic incidents in Colorado have increased from 71 incidents in 2022 to 198 incidents in 2023”, nearly two-thirds of Colorado say that is more antisemitic incidents than they thought.
Regarding the current war, there is little support for a unilateral Israeli ceasefire, at least not without releasing the Israeli hostages and reaching a ceasefire agreement by ALL sides. However, most believe it would not bring an end to the violence or conflict in the area.
- If Israel declared a ceasefire and pulled all their troops out of Gaza tomorrow, only 13% believe the war would stop, 13% believe Hamas would stop launching rockets into Israel and 13% believe Hezbollah would stop launching rockets from Lebanon into Israel.
- Releasing all the Israeli hostages held by Hamas is the top priority for Coloradans in a ceasefire agreement, across party lines.
- A two-state solution is the most preferred outcome for the conflict: 52% say two states for two peoples, 15% say one Jewish state of Israel, 7% say continuation of status quo ante, 6% say increased Palestinian autonomy with Israeli security and 6% say one Arab/Muslim state of Palestine.
- Conservatives are less partial to two states – 33% prefer two states while 38% prefer one state or the status quo to continue.
Coloradans are united in their support for protecting Jewish students on campus, and many prioritize students’ safety over free speech.
- 88% say it’s important for college administrators to protect the safety of Jewish students on campus, including 65% saying it’s very important, compared to 46% saying it’s very important to protect free speech rights of protesters.
The survey of n=603 adults in Colorado, including an oversample of n=200 liberal/progressive voters from June 6 to June 21, 2024. The data has been weighted to ensure it is proportionately representative of the Colorado adult population. The overall margin of error is ±3.99% for the base sample and is higher among subgroups. Survey funding was supported by the Rose Community Foundation.
About JEWISHcolorado
JEWISHcolorado convenes, connects, invests, and protects Jewish life in Colorado, Israel, and around the world. JEWISHcolorado, part of the Jewish Federations of North America, strives to create a vibrant, secure, connected, and inclusive Jewish community. We stand together in shared purpose guided by our Jewish values, connected to the people of Israel, and continuously working on behalf of the Jewish community through outreach, advocacy, programming, and grantmaking. Visit www.JEWISHcolorado.org for more.
About Rose Community Foundation
Rose Community Foundation strives to advance inclusive, engaged and equitable Greater Denver communities through values-driven philanthropy. The Foundation envisions a thriving region strengthened by its diversity and generosity, and it utilizes the varied tools at its disposal–grantmaking, advocacy and philanthropic services–to advance this aspiration. Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation has granted more than $322 million to nearly 2,000 organizations and initiatives, including $54 million in facilitated grantmaking from donor-advised funds. The Foundation has also supported nearly 70 nonprofit organizations in creating and growing endowments to sustain their vital work into the future, currently stewarding $44 million in endowed assets. The Foundation has $295 million in total assets under management, with annual grantmaking of nearly $25 million.
About BSG
Benenson Strategy Group (BSG) is a consulting and strategic research firm that specializes in political, corporate, and issue advocacy solutions.
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