November 20, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Morton A. Klein
Phone: 212-481-1500
New polls have shown that by ratios of more than four-to-one, Americans sympathize with Israelis over Palestinians, both generally and in the current conflict in Gaza and, by more than two-to-one, regard Israel as justified in taking military action against Hamas in Gaza.
A CNN/ORC International poll released this week showed that, in response to the question – “In the Middle East situation, are your sympathies more with the Israelis or more with the Palestinians?” 59% of Americans answered that their sympathies were with the Israelis, as opposed to only 13% who said their sympathies were with the Palestinians. These results were consistent with those produced by the same question in January 2009 (60% – 17%) and May 2011 (67% – 16%).
In other results, the same poll found in answer to the question, “Do you think Israel was justified or unjustified in taking military action against Hamas and the Palestinians in the area known as Gaza?” – 57% of Americans said Israel was justified, while only 25% said that Israel was not. (These results are consistent with those produced in January 2009, at the time of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, Operation Cast Lead, which was viewed as justified by 63% of Americans, as against 31% who said it was not) (CNN/ORC International poll, November 19, 2012)
Also, a Rasmussen poll found that 57% of Americans blame the escalating military conflict on the Palestinians, whereas only 12% blame the Israelis for it (‘47% Say U.S. Should Stay Out of Escalating Gaza Situation,’ Rasmussen Reports, November 20, 2012).
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, “This latest survey shows that Americans continue to display strong support for Israel as a U.S. ally and clarity of understanding as to the nature of the Arab war on Israel.
“Americans are showing that they understand Israel did not launch attacks – Israel was attacked. They understand that Israel cannot sit on its hands when its citizens are assaulted by hundreds of rockets – it needs to act to stop these attacks.
“These findings are also consistent with numerous surveys (a list of which can be found here) taken by a range of pollsters indicating strong and clear American public support for Israel over the Palestinians.”