(RNS) President Obama’s approval rating among U.S. Jews has dropped in the past year, while opinions of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have improved, according to a new survey released by the American Jewish Committee.
The global advocacy organization pegged Jewish approval of Obama’s performance as president at 51 percent, down from 57 percent in March, and far below the 78 percent of the Jewish vote Obama captured the 2008 presidential election.
On the Obama administration’s handling of U.S.-Israeli relations, the survey found that 49 percent of American Jews approve (down from 55 percent in March) and 45 percent disapprove (up from 37 percent in March).

In contrast, the survey reports a 62 percent approval rating for Netanyahu’s handling of U.S.-Israel relations, up from 57 percent six months ago.
Meanwhile, American Jews have grown more pessimistic in describing U.S.-Israel relations: 68 rated them positive in the new AJC survey, compared to 73 percent six month ago and 81 percent a year ago.
The survey, based on telephone interviews with 800 respondents between Aug. 31 and Oct. 5, also probed Jewish opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Iran’s nuclear threat, the war in Afghanistan, the Turkish government, and America’s midterm elections, economy, health care and immigration reform.
— Nicole Neroulias
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