(Gallup Poll) Jeffrey M. Jones - Following the election of Hamas, Americans have grown more pessimistic that peace will ever be achieved in the Middle East, and increasingly sympathetic toward the Israelis. Most Americans do not believe the U.S. should give any financial assistance to the PA. By 65% to 32%, Americans now say there will never come a time when Israel and the Arab nations will live in peace. 57% oppose giving any financial aid to the Palestinians while Hamas is in power, while 30% would give aid if the Palestinians recognize Israel. Americans are much more likely to sympathize with the Israelis (59%) than with the Palestinians (15%), one of the highest margins in favor of the Israelis ever recorded by Gallup. Gallup also finds that Americans who say they follow news about world affairs "very closely" are more likely to sympathize with the Israelis (66%). The new poll finds 68% of Americans saying they have a favorable opinion of Israel, including 21% who are "very favorable," while 23% view Israel unfavorably. Just 11% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the PA, while 78% have an unfavorable view.
2006-02-14 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive