(ADL).American public support for Israel in the form of sympathy for the Jewish state, viewing Israel as a critical ally of the U.S. and as the party most interested in peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains strong, according to a new survey commissioned by the Anti-Defamation League.
A clear majority of Americans – 63 percent – say Israel is a "crucial ally" and its relationship with the United States does not hurt the U.S. image in the rest of the world.
"The poll demonstrates once again that no matter the degree of change in the Middle East, the one constant is the American people's strong support for Israel," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "It is particularly significant that Americans 'get it' with regard to the need for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians as well as the need to act to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power."
Among the main survey findings were:
* By a margin of 63%-37%, a majority of Americans believe that Israel is serious about peace.
* Sympathy with Israel vis-à-vis the Palestinians continues, with 49 percent sympathizing with Israel, 18 percent with the Palestinians.
* On the subject of Israel as an ally of the U.S., by a margin of 61%-24%, Americans see the relationship as beneficial to the U.S.
* 73 percent of Americans indicate that Israel can be counted on by the U.S. as a strong ally.
* On the Arab Spring, Americans are evenly divided (40%-39%) as to whether the U.S. should work with emerging democracies even if it means weakening our strong relationship with Israel.
* Regarding Iran's development of a nuclear weapon, Americans support Israeli military action to prevent it by 57%-31%, and US military action by 50%-44%.
* Americans reject a U.N. vote to create a Palestinian state. By 52%-28%, Americans believe that direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians "are the only appropriate way to create a Palestinian state" rather than going through the U.N.
* A majority of Americans (64%-27%) believe it is up to the Palestinians and the Israelis to negotiate the final terms of peace with minimal involvement from the U.S.
* By 58%-22%, Americans believe that a Palestinian state must be preceded by a Palestinian commitment to end violence and accept Israel's legitimacy.
* By a ratio of 2-1 (52%-25%), Americans firmly reject the idea that American Jews stifle debate about Israel and the Middle East.