Most Jewish Americans oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to deny federal funding to universities over alleged antisemitism on campus, even though they are personally concerned about rising hostility to Jews, a poll released on Thursday found.

Though significant majorities of Jews across denominations said they are “somewhat or very concerned” about antisemitism at universities, most of them oppose withdrawing research funding as a response to it.

Moreover, a large majority of American Jews say that Trump uses the issue “as an excuse” to go after the schools, with less than a third responding that “Trump truly cares.” The division falls almost cleanly along the lines of how respondents voted in the 2024 election.

Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has threatened universities with federal funding cuts, citing both anti-Israel protests that erupted in the wake of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack and the subsequent war in Gaza, and climate initiatives, transgender policies and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Rights advocates have raised concerns over free speech, due process and academic freedom.

Mainstream Jewish organizations, too, have taken issue with some of the government’s moves, while at the same time raising the alarm about a hostile environment created by the protests, which frequently included expressions of support for Hamas and other terror groups and sometimes involved tactics such as break-ins, building occupations, and vandalism.

According to the poll, American Jews across denominations are personally........

© The Times of Israel