U.S. loves us: two-thirds support

Almost two-thirds of Americans - 64% - are sympathetic to Israel. Only 12% are sympathetic to the Palestinians. The rate of support for Israel in the U.S. is above the threshold of 60% since 2010. However, youngsters are less sympathetic to Israel than adults, Democrats less than Republicans and women less than men.

These are the most prominent data in a Gallup poll published yesterday (Friday), a few days before the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama, to Israel.

The data are part of a global survey conducted by Gallup in 2013 from 7 to 10 February. According to the statistics, the rate of current sympathy for Israel is the same as that recorded in 1991, in the first Iraq War and is the highest in 25 years. Rate of sympathy for the Palestinians in 1991 was slightly less than 7%.

One of the most significant figures in the survey is that the rate of U.S. support for Israel is characterized by a consistent rise over ten years (except for a slight decrease from 63% in 2011 to 61% in 2012). At that period, the proportion of respondents who have no opinion on Israel or do not support it or the Palestinians, is declining. The rate of support for the Palestinians remained almost unchanged, ranging around 15% to 20% (18% in 2005, 20% in 2007, 18% in 2009 and as said -12% now).

The poll also found that the rate of support for Israel among Republicans is more than Democrats: 78% versus 55%. Israel's support rate of those not identified with any political party is more or less similar to that of the Democrats. Support for Israel increased in all three groups, but especially among the unidentified Republicans: an increase of 18% (from 60% to 78%) among Republicans, 21% (from 42% to 63%) among the unidentified, and 4% (from 51% to 55%) among Democrats.

From another angle: supporters of Israel are a majority in all political and demographic groups in the U.S., with small changes in the age group, gender, level of education and political orientation. Liberals and democrats are less inclined to support Israel, conservatives and Republicans tend to support it more.

The survey found that the rate of support for Israel increases as the age of respondents rises: among those aged 18 to 34, the rate of support for Israel is 55% among those aged 35 to 54 - 65%, and among those aged 55 and over - 71%. In all age groups, the rate of support for the Palestinians is 12%.

All subgroups defined by level of education, the level of support for Israel ranges from 61% to 68%, but the evident trend is that the higher the educational level the greater the rate of support for the Palestinians. Thus, 20% of MA's support the Palestinians, but among those who have no college education, the rate of support for the Palestinians is down to 8%. The rend is reversed when it comes to Israel: 61% of MA graduates and upward support it, compared with 65% of those who have no college education.

There seems to be a big difference between men and women: 69% of men support Israel, but only 60% of women. Regarding the Palestinians, there is almost no difference: 11% of men support them, and 12% of women.

Thus the Palestinians have the greatest support rates among liberals, Democrats and those who have a master's degrees or higher, but in these groups too, the support rate does not exceed 24%.

The trend of increase in the rate of support for Israel in the last decade is contrary to restlessness evident in rates of support for Israel in previous years. For example, in 1988, in the midst of a fierce controversy over the settlements between the Israeli government and the first Bush administration, the rate of support for Israel was 37%, but this rate soared to 64% in 1991, in which the first invasion of Iraq took place, and in which Israeli cities were bombed. Support in 1994 plunged to 42% in 1998 to 38%. Since then there was a trend of increase (with declines in 2002 and 2003).

The past decade data limit the ability of the Obama administration to push Israel to resume negotiations with the Palestinians (though the White House in the first place had not planned to bring Israel to a new roadmap for the upcoming presidential visit). Surveys are the political compass of the government and the legislature. For this reason, AIPAC , the pro-Israel lobby in Washington, which is trying to prevent a reduction of military aid to Israel because Sequester may find a sympathetic ear on Capitol Hill and in the administration.