The American people’s strong support for Israel remains constant and their support for action to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power has substantially increased, according to a new nationwide survey released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today.
The survey’s findings demonstrate that Americans recognize Israel as a strong and loyal U.S. ally, are skeptical about “peace dividends” that would be realized by Israel stopping all settlement construction and believe that a Palestinian state must not be established until the Palestinians demonstrate a commitment to end violence and accept Israel’s legitimacy.
The 2009 Survey of American Attitudes on Israel, The Palestinians and Prospects for Peace in the Middle East, a national telephone survey of 1,200 American adults, was conducted September 26-October 4, 2009 by Marttila Communications of Washington, D.C. and Boston. The margin of error is +/-
2.8%.
“This latest survey of the American people, coming at a time of a full range of challenging issues facing Israel and the region demonstrates anew the breadth and depth of American public support for Israel from a variety of perspectives,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “Americans see Israel as a loyal ally to the U.S., as being very serious about wanting to achieve peace with the Palestinians and as deserving the sympathy of the American people in the conflict with the Palestinians.”
Mr. Foxman also noted a changing dynamic regarding Iran and the nuclear issue. “The significant increase in Americans viewing Iran as a threat and
supporting, if nothing else works, U.S. or Israeli military options against
Iran, reflect a new and needed sense of urgency about the issue in light of
Iran’s oppressive policies and the discovery of a secret Iranian nuclear
plant,” he said. “This is the first time a majority of Americans — 54% —
support such an option for the U.S.”
Read the full report here.
