This House believes it's time for the US to get tough on Israel
Wednesday March 25 2009
Georgetown University, Washington DC
MOTION PASSED
by 63% to 37%
Opinion poll
AMERICANS SHARPLY DIVIDED OVER ISRAEL -DOHA DEBATES
Doha, Qatar April 15, 2009: Americans are showing significant disenchantment with their government's policy towards Israel - and nearly half of them want a more balanced approach to the Middle East conflict.
The trends emerged in a wide-ranging opinion poll, commissioned by The Doha Debates, which revealed that large numbers of US voters are at odds with their country's uncritical support for Israel.
The results are most apparent among Democratic voters, with nearly 70 percent of them favouring a tougher US line on Israeli settlements.
The findings, though, offer little encouragement to the Palestinians. Overall, 71 percent of Americans have a favourable view of Israel, compared to only 25 percent who approve of the Palestinians. Nearly 50 percent regard aid to both sides as excessive - and the same percentage would like the administration to steer a "middle course" between them.
Despite heavy Palestinian casualties during the recent conflict in Gaza, 36 percent are now more supportive of Israel, compared to 29 percent who have a less favourable view of the country.
The survey, conducted by the American market research company Zogby International, polled the views of 4,340 American adults between April 1 and April 4.
It followed last month's special session of The Doha Debates at Washington's Georgetown University where 63 percent of the mainly-student audience voted that the administration should take a tougher line on Israel.
By contrast, the opinion poll showed Americans nationwide evenly divided on the issue.
Polling dates: 1 - 4 April 2009
Download the polling data [PDF]
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