Americans Support Israel But Divide On Current Gaza War
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44% say IIsrael Justified; 41% Say Not - 55% Blame Palistinians; 13% finger Israel.
Americans, while far more sympathetic to Israel than the Palestinians, are closely divided over whether the Jewish state should be taking military action against militants in the Gaza Strip.
Forty-four percent (44%) say Israel should have taken military action against the Palestinians, but 41% say it should have tried to find a diplomatic solution to the problems there, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided.
Fifty-five percent (55%) of adults, however, believe the Palestinians are to blame for the current situation in Gaza, while 13% point the finger at the Israelis. Nearly one-third (32%) aren’t sure.
Men are far more sympathetic to the Israelis than women. Fifty-six percent (56%) of men support Israel’s military action, compared to 34% of women. Whites narrowly give the edge to military action, but African-Americans by three-to-one say diplomacy was the better way to go.
Sixty-seven percent (67%) of those who say they are following news out of Gaza Very Closely support Israel's military action, while 30% favor diplomacy.
While the Bush administration is viewed as a solid ally of Israel, the new findings signal a possible shift in Washington’s support for Tel Aviv under President Obama.
Just after the election, 47% of voters said Obama will do a good or excellent job handling national security issues. Thirty-four percent (34%) expected him to handle those issues poorly.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of Republicans back Israel’s decision to take military action against the Palestinians, but only half as many Democrats (31%) agree. A majority of Democrats (55%) say Israel should have tried to find a diplomatic solution first, a view shared by just 27% of Republicans.
While 75% of Republicans say Israel is an ally of the United States, just 55% of Democrats agree. Seven percent (7%) of Democrats say Israel is an enemy of America, but only one percent (1%) of Republicans say the same. For 21% of Republicans, Israel is somewhere in between, and 28% of Democrats agree.
Just over half of adults (51%) fear Israel’s actions will cause more terrorism against the United States, with 17% saying that is Very Likely to be the case. Nine percent (9%) believe that future terrorist attacks on America are not at all likely because of Israel’s attacks on Gaza this week.
Those who say they have followed the news out of the Gaza Strip Very Closely are slightly more concerned about increased terrorism at home, with 20% saying it is Very Likely as a result of Israel’s actions.
Nearly three-out-of-five voters (59%) say a terrorist attack in the United States like the one Thanksgiving week in India is at least somewhat likely in the next year. Most voters expect terrorists or Iran to provide Obama with his first international test.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of men say the Palestinians are to blame versus 48% of women. But women by five points also are less likely to blame the Israelis and are undecided on the question by nearly two-to-one.
While 57% of whites blame the Palestinians, 53% of blacks are not sure who is at fault.
Seventy-three percent (73%) of Republicans blame the Palestinians, as opposed to 47% of Democrats.
Sixty-six percent (66%) of adults say it is likely that the latest violence in the Gaza Strip will escalate into a more widespread war between Israel and the Arabs in the Middle East, including 30% who say it is Very Likely. Only three percent (3%) say it is not at all likely to have that effect.
For 63% of adults overall, Israel is as an ally of the United States. Only three percent (3%) characterize it as an enemy, with 27% placing it somewhere in between. Seven percent (7%) are undecided.
Seventy-two percent (72%) of men describe Israel as a U.S. ally versus 54% of women.
In a survey nearly two years ago, 67% described Israel as an ally of the United States.
Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans say they are following news stories about Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip Very Closely, with another 41% saying they are following somewhat closely. Only four percent (4%) say they are not following the news at all.
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Comment by Jeff Crosby on 2 January 2009:
Dear Rich:
I do not understand Palestinians nor do I understand Muslums…Palestinians fire rockets into Israel 'round the clock…what do they expect if they do this…? a thank you from Israel or a slap on the back saying..you should not do this…it is not nice…they are getting exactly what they deserve…Israel has gone out of its way a number of times to make peace with these morons and they just don't get it…and the whole population is to blame…they hide/conceal terrorists and provide cover for them in the holiest of places…Muslums say nothing when Israel is attacked yet cry foul when Gaza is attacked…or Lebonan is attacked…what a bunch of hypocrates…!!! Israel hands over the Gaza strip to them in return for peace and what do they do…they increase the fighting…if anything should be erased from the face of the earth it is this group of people…all they do is start conflicts…with each other and the rest of their neighbors…!
Comment by Mohammed on 4 January 2009:
Mr. Jeff Crosby.
Do you even consider what you wrote to be sane?
If you don't understand Islam, get to know it and read about it and decide for yourself.
Israel is a slayer whether you liked it or not.
Israels are the wood of fire whether you liked it or not.
Islam are uncapable of doing anything these days, but iam glad that Great GOD has promised his paople (all human kind, every signle being) of a judgement day…
A spectacular FAIR JUDGEMENT.
I hope to see you there
Comment by Snake on 4 January 2009:
Mr. Crosby,
Don't blame Islam for what a minority of its followers do.
I don't Blame Christianity for the crusades?
Judaism for the current war at Palestine?
Get off of CNN and Fox try watching the Jazeera.. hear both sides of the story and then make judgment NOT about a religion but about the war itself.
If you want to judge Islam, read the Quran for yourself and read Prophet Mohammed's Hadith.
Comment by Eve on 5 January 2009:
Dear Jeff Crosby,
The Palestinians are simply not willing to yield just like the native americans did.
I mean Europe simply dumped the Jews who became a burden after WWII, just to clear their conscience, into a land they didnt own, a land that already had its people, and simply made their lives and eternal hell.
well, how would you feel if someone stronger than you just shoved this homeless neighbor by force into your house, then claims the house as his, and complains when you protest, let alone beat you up, while making sure everyone around you see you as the bad person..? Call me insane but..i simply see no logic in that, and thats simply the case here…
I am against civilians being the only real victims to all this.
I can't blame you for this point of view however, you're simply one of the millions out there who only see what "Israel" (who obviously influences every news network in the US) wants you to see… poor israeli families so scared that they plan to go on a vacation…
And one more thing.. Palestine is not only Muslims.. its all three religions if not more, so you can stop being all paranoid and try to see things from a wider perspective.
Comment by Kyle Taylor Lucas on 14 January 2009:
Eve,
As an American Indian, as an Indigenous woman of North America, I take exception to your assertion that "Palestinians are simply not willing to yield just like the Native Americans did." We did not "simply . . . yield" against colonial oppression, and those of us remaining continue to fight for our existence and against genocide in this hemisphere.
Many of us, especially we Indigenous women, are speaking out against the unconscionable Israeli attacks upon the Palestinians whom we consider Indigenous brothers and sisters living on occupied lands. Shame on U.S. elected leaders. Despite their spinelessness, every human being of conscience should resist the genocide in Gaza.
Comment by Viejo Vizcacha on 15 January 2009:
Author Richard Cochrane trained in metallurgy. What is evident by his hard face: He tells the tale of "a 41% "Americans" say Israel is not justified"… but he says not where that 41% is located… obviously inside synagogues. Around my world, make it more than 89% (I have an approximate 11% Israeli-Americans associates).
You working a raise, Richie baby?
Comment by richard on 16 January 2009:
Viejo: If you reread the post you would see it described an emperical poll conducted by one of the most respected polling firms. I did not say I agreed or not. The opinion is a statistically signifcant sample of the nation.
As far as being "obviously inside synagogues" you'll need to decide why you'd assert that based your own world view.
Eve: My great grandmother, whom I knew, was an Iroquis. So I have a bit of that perspective.