JTA reports the results of a Gallup Poll on the Middle East that was conducted in early February. At the time the poll was taken, support for Israel among Americans was at a near record high.
According to the Gallup Poll, 63 percent of Americans say their sympathies in the Middle East conflict are with Israel, while 15 percent side with the Palestinians. According to the article, support for Israel was higher only in 1991, shortly after Israel was hit with Scud missiles during the Gulf War, when it was at 64 percent.
One wonders if the public relations assault on Israel in connection with its Gaza blockade has affected Israel’s standing with the American public. Whatever the case, it must not be much. President Obama realizes that his hostility to Israel is one more area in which his views stand athwart those of the American people. Thus his effort during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit last week to pretend that he shares the American people’s warm view of Israel.
Obama’s charm offensive was aimed at Americans, not at Israelis. Nevertheless, it’s interesting that Israelis haven’t exactly been taken in, at least not yet. Carl in Jerusalem reports the latest Jerusalem Post poll showing that the percentage of Israelis who think Obama is pro-Israel has now risen from 9 to 10 percent.
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