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Poll: Violence Hardens U.S. Jewish Attitudes toward Palestinians

(Forward) Steven M. Cohen - •Fully two-thirds of respondents say Washington should allow Israel a "free hand" to take whatever actions it sees fit. Four out of five American Jews support the "elimination" of suspected Palestinian terrorists. •Definitive majorities want the U.S. to be highly active in efforts to formulate a peace agreement (71% to 5%), to clearly support Israel's leadership over the Palestinian leadership (61% to 8%), and not to urge Israel to exercise restraint when responding to terrorist attacks (62% versus 16%). • In the context of a peace agreement, a majority (53% to 14%) favors the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as endorsed by Prime Minister Sharon. At the same time, they reject the removal of "nearly all" Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza (38% opposed to 19% in favor), and oppose Palestinian control over Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem (44% opposed to 16% in favor). •Majorities support Sharon in believing Israel should insist on complete cessation of all violence before negotiations can begin (59% to 15%), and in refusing to deal with Arafat as a negotiating partner (56% to 12%). •Some 31% said they were very emotionally attached to Israel, 41% said they were somewhat attached, 20% were not very attached, and 8% were not attached, results that differed only marginally from a 1997 survey. Those under 35 were far less likely to describe themselves as "emotionally attached." However, the under-35s were twice as likely as older Jews (20% versus 10%) to say they had become "more involved" during the last two years. Similarly, younger Jews were far more likely than older Jews to say they were planning to visit Israel (18% versus 10%).
2003-01-23 00:00:00
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