NEW YORK (Press Release)–A new poll of American public opinion has found that the vast majority of Americans support Israel on virtually every major issue concerning the Israeli/Palestinian situation, while opposing the positions of the Obama Administration. Additionally, only 31% of Americans believe President Obama is a close and reliable friend of Israel. By a ratio of 3.5 to 1 (58% –– 17%), Americans believe any future Palestinian Arab state would be hostile to Israel and support terrorism. By a ratio of over 3 to 1 (47% –– 14%), Americans believe that Jews have the right to settle in Judea/Samaria (West Bank).
The National Omnibus poll, conducted by McLaughlin Associates and published on January 17, 2014, surveyed a large, nationwide cross-section of 1000 Americans, consisting of Protestants (46%), Catholics (30%), Jews (3.6%), African Americans (13%), Hispanics (12%), Asians (3%) and Whites (70%). Politically, the respondents were 42% Democratic supporters and 41% Republican supporters.
The poll found that:
- A majority of 51% of Americans believe that President Obama has not done all he can to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons, as opposed to 28% who believe that he has (almost a 2 ––1 ratio).
- A large majority of 59% of Americans believe that the U.S. should impose stronger sanctions on Iran to convince it to stop developing nuclear weapons, as opposed to 17% who believe the U.S. should weaken sanctions on Iran to convince it to stop developing nuclear weapons (almost a 3.5 –– 1 ratio).
- 47% of Americans believe that Israeli Jews should have the right to live in the West Bank in part for Israel to self-defend its borders, whereas only 14% of Americans believe only Palestinian Arabs should have the right to live there (over a 3 –– 1 ratio).
- An overwhelming majority of 72% Americans oppose President Obama’s plan to give the Palestinian Authority (PA) $440 million, as opposed to 15% who believe that he should (almost a 5 –– 1 ratio).
- A majority of 55% of Americans believe that Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel, as opposed to 13% who believe it should not (over a 4 –– 1 ratio).
- A large majority 63% of Americans believe that the PA should recognize Israel as the sovereign state of the Jewish people, whereas only 11% believe it should not (almost a 6 –– 1 ratio).
- Only 31% of Americans believe that President Barack Obama is a close and reliable friend of Israel, as opposed to 38% who believe that he is not. (This is a surprising result, given that the U.S. has always been known as Israel’s closest and most reliable friend).
The Zionist Organization of America commissioned these poll questions on Israel, the Palestinians and Iran.
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, “The results of this latest, very detailed and highly representative survey of American opinion show gratifyingly high, indeed, overwhelming levels of support for positions Israel takes, as opposed to the position the Obama Administration takes. It also shows an understanding of the dangers Israel faces from a terror-sponsoring Palestinian Authority.”
“Americans believe by an overwhelming ratio that Israeli Jews have a right to live in Judea/Samaria (West Bank), whereas only a small percentage believes in the racist, anti-Semitic Palestinian position that only Palestinians have the right to live there.”
“Large majorities of Americans clearly understand that a Palestinian state, if established, will not live in peace with Israel and will simply be another Mideast terrorist state.
“President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry should heed these results. They should understand that the American people expect our government to support Israel; stop promoting a Palestinian state; stop condemning Jewish communities in Judea/Samaria and eastern Jerusalem as ‘illegitimate’; support Jerusalem as Israel’s undivided capital; stop funding the PA and impose stronger sanctions on Iran to persuade it to terminate its nuclear weapons program.
“Pro-Israel Jewish organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish, should cite these results to promote stronger support for Israel.”
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Preceding provided by the Zionist Organization of America
The United States Goverment should take concrete measures that have our Senators and Congressmen line up and support International Laws and conventions on Human Rights. Secondly we should pass a Bill’s that reduces financial aid to Israel by 10 to 20% upon each declaration of building settlement’s in Occupied Palestine Lands that is Internationaly Recognized by the 1948 UN Mandate and Fedral Law and a Bill that that restricts Political Action committees and any out side interference with federal Legislation and Protocol. This should demostrate to Israel we object to the Occupation and demostrate our intent to the rest of the world that the United States is serious about resolving the Middle East conflict and truly defines itself as the Honest Broker to all parties in the region.This also puts Israel and the Palestianins on notice that and rest of the world that we are committed to put end to this long lasting conflict!
Clearly you didn’t read the poll and refuse to acknowledge what America wants: namely less support to radical Muslim elements and more support to our only Middle East ally, Israel. Your lies about ending the Middle East conflict — as if the Israel/Palestinian issue is the only cause — are laughable. Are you not aware of the Muslim slaughters going on in dozens of Muslim countries which have nothing to do with Israel? Even if you eliminate Israel, which is what you want, the slaughters will continue. America needs to stop appeasing any entity or state which includes radical Muslims, period.
samwise: I assume that the “1948 UN Mandate” to which you refer is UNGA Resolution 181. If so, it was never implemented due to its rejection by the Arab League. Since then, Israel has proceeded to create a viable state whilst the Palestinians via their leadership have waged war and terrorism, engaged in official xenophobia and generally focused more on those activities than on state building. Between 1948-67 they showed no desire for a state at all, embarking on this call only after Israel drove out Egypt and Jordan in 1967.
Reason suggests that safe borders for Israel are a priority. Such borders must be the result of negotiation as different conditions will affect what is possible. As Israel is building only in areas agreed to under the Oslo Accords there should be no cause for complaint.