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August 17, 2001/Av 28, 5761, Vol. 53, No.45
Poll reveals what unites American Arabs, Jews
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Jewish-Americans and Arab-Americans may have more in common than they think.
Despite a perceived wall dividing them, built brick by brick by the intensifying violence between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Arabs in the United States agree on a number of domestic issues.
This common ground was revealed in the latest poll by Zogby International, "What Ethnic Americans Really Think." Zogby pollsters identified six distinct ethnic groups: Arab-Americans, Jewish-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Italian-Americans. The study was conducted December 1999-February 2000.
Participants were asked what they thought of a number of issues, ranging from school vouchers to the death penalty; in addition, pollsters gathered demographic information, including participants' age, marital status, ethnicity, education and political views, among other facts.
Of Arabs and Jews participating in the study:
- Nearly 90 percent agree that patients should be allowed to sue their HMO.
- 86.5 percent agree the budget surplus should be used to increase the number of Americans with health insurance.
- 92.5 percent agree the government should impose strict environmental regulations and fine polluters.
- More than 75 percent agree individuals should be allowed to invest part of their payroll taxes meant for Social Security in the market.
"The study raises issues regarding identities," said Madelaine Adelman, assistant professor in the School of Justice Studies at Arizona State University.
Jewish-Americans and Arab-Americans may believe that boundaries divide them, "but now we have new data that provides a different perspective of life in the United States," she said. The Zogby study shows the two groups agree on a number of "hot button" issues and can "join forces for the sake of domestic concerns," she added.
Gordon Weiner, professor emeritus at ASU and former director of ASU's Jewish Studies Program, said he was not surprised common ground exists between Jewish-Americans and Arab-Americans.
Both groups are highly educated and favor liberal religious views, he noted. Likewise, many want to integrate into society but not completely assimilate.
"Similar values, opinions and stances are to be expected," he said.
Weiner said the challenge now is for the opinions that Jewish-Americans and Arab- Americans hold in common to lead to action.
"The potential is hopeful" for Jewish groups "to reach out to the Arab Anti-Defamation League," said Weiner. Unknown is whether the efforts will be warmly received by either side, he added.
The Zogby study also revealed significant information about the neighborhoods where Jewish- and Arab-Americans live and their political ideology. Another significant commonality is that a clear majority - 65.5 percent of Arab-Americans and 70.5 percent of Jewish-Americans - live in neighborhoods with a mixed ethnic make-up. Politically, however, almost 50 percent of Jewish-Americans describe themselves as liberal or very liberal, compared to 25 percent of the Arab-American respondents.
To obtain a full copy of Zogby International's study, "What Ethnic Americans Really Think," visit www.zogby.com.
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