American support for Israel falls to ten-year low, poll finds

Published: MARCH 6, 2019 21:49

‘WHAT ARE the effects, in Israel, in the US, and the rest of the world, of the perceived opinions of American Jewry?’ (photo credit: REUTERS) — ‘WHAT ARE the effects, in Israel, in the US, and the rest of the world, of the perceived opinions of American Jewry?’

(photo credit: REUTERS)

The number of Americans who sympathize more with the Palestinian cause has remain unchanged, at 21%.

WASHINGTON – US public support for Israel is at its lowest point in a decade, according to a recent poll.

Gallup – which surveys Americans each year on their sympathies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – this year found a substantial decline in support across party lines, with a surprising 13% drop among Republicans.

Overall, 59% of Americans say they side with Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians, down from 64% the prior year. But the number of Americans who sympathize more with the Palestinian cause has remain unchanged, at 21%.

“The slight decline in US sympathies toward Israel in the past year can be explained by drops among both major party groups,” reads a Gallup description of their poll results. “The percentage of Republicans saying they sympathize more with Israel in the conflict fell from an all-time high of 87% in 2018 to 76% today.”

“Last year’s reading was taken as the Donald Trump administration was preparing to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a change that highlighted [US President Donald] Trump’s strong support of Israel,” it added.

Only 43% of Democrats say they sympathize more with Israel than with the Palestinians in their conflict. Israel has lost support among both moderate and liberal Democrats, with liberal Democrats in particular being among the least sympathetic.