American Jews support for US strike on Iran drops: AJC survey

The annual American Jewish Committee poll of American Jews shows a decrease in support for a US strike on Iran should diplomacy not halt its uranium enrichment activities.

According to the 2013 poll released Monday, 52 percent of American Jews favor such a strike, 24 percent strongly and 28 percent somewhat.

In last year’s poll, 64.1 percent of respondents said they would support such a strike, 36.1 percent somewhat and 28 percent strongly.

There was a smaller drop in support for an Israeli strike in such a case: 67 percent this year as opposed to 72.5 percent last year, almost within the poll’s margin of error of 5 percentage points.

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with the US and European Union using the claim as an excuse to impose illegal sanctions against Tehran.

Iran has categorically rejected the allegation, stressing that as a committed member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.