Record Number Of Americans Sympathize More With Israelis Than Palestinians

Standing for Israel: Demonstrators wave Israeli flags in support during rally outside United Nations in New York. Image by Martyna Starosta

By Aiden Pink March 15, 2018

A record number of Americans sympathize more with Israelis than with Palestinians, a recent Gallup poll has found.

Sixty-four percent of respondents said that they had more sympathy with Israelis, tying the previous highs recorded in 1991 and 2013 — though the American population has grown since that time. A survey last year found the number at 62%.

Only 19% expressed more sympathy with the Palestinians, the same number as last year, while 16% answered both, neither or unsure.

A partisan split remains in American support for Israel, with 87% of Republicans — another record — expressing more sympathy with Israelis. Only 49% of Democrats have more sympathy with Israel, a number that is two percent higher than last year but nine points lower than its peak in 2014.

Israel’s overall favorability rating is at 74%, a 17-year high, while only 21% have a favorable opinion of the Palestinian Authority. A partisan split existed there too: 64% of Democrats view Israel favorably, compared to 83% of Republicans.

The survey was conducted with a random sample of 1,044 adults between February 1-10, and has a margin of error of 4%.

Contact Aiden Pink at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink

Aiden Pink is the Deputy News Editor for the Forward. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink.

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