Americans Divided Over Establishment Of Palestinian State

Although an increasing number of Americans oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, a new Gallup poll shows the U.S. public is divided over that issue.

Currently, 45 percent of Americans say they support the creation of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, and 42 percent are opposed to it, the latter figure representing a 5-percent increase from last year.

According to the survey, a large portion of the American public supports and views Israel favorably. 

Of the Americans polled, 71 percent said they support Israel and 27 percent expressed an opposing view. 

This was the fourth consecutive year in which support for Israel in the Gallup poll remained above the 70-percent mark.

The low point in American public support for Israelat 49 percentcame in the 1989 Gallup survey. The high point came just two years later, in 1991, when support reached 79 percent.

In the realm of political affiliation, Republicans expressed 81 percent support for Israel in the new poll, while 61 percent of Democrats said they support the Jewish state.

Support for establishing a Palestinian state is also divided along party lines61 percent of Democrats, 50 percent of independents and 25 percent of Republicans expressed support for the idea.

Additionally, younger Americans support Israel less than older Americansthe poll saw 63-percent support among respondents ages 18-29, and 77 percent among those 65 and older.

Originally published at JNS.org - reposted with permission.