american attitudes on the israeli-palestinian conflict · 2016-12-02 · weighted by age, gender,...

American attitudes on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

A PUBLIC OPINION POLL BY SHIBLEY TELHAMI

.

A survey sponsored by the

University of Maryland

Critical Issues Poll*

fielded by

Nielsen Scarborough

Valuable assistance was provided by Neil Schwartz, Scott Willoth, and Jordan Evangelista from Nielsen Scarborough.

Brittany Kyser, Rachel Slattery, and Anne Peckham were particularly helpful.

*The University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll probes domestic and international issues that are central to our policy

discourse and is led by Professors Shibley Telhami and Stella Rouse.

Survey Methodology(October 2016)

The survey was conducted October 5-14, 2016 with a panel consisting of a probability-based representative sample. The panel was recruited by Nielsen Scarborough from its larger probability-based national panel, which was recruited by mail and telephone using a random sample of

households provided by Survey Sampling International. A national sample of 1528 panelists completed the survey. Responses were weighted

by age, gender, income, education, race, and geographic region using benchmarks from the U.S. Census. The survey was also weighted by

partisan identification. The margin of error is 2.5%

Survey Methodology(November 2016)

The survey was conducted November 18-23, 2016 with a panel consisting of a probability-based representative sample. The panel was recruited by

Nielsen Scarborough from its larger probability-based national panel, which was recruited by mail and telephone using a random sample of

households provided by Survey Sampling International. A national sample of 1042 panelists completed the survey. Responses were

weighted by age, gender, income, education, race, and geographic region using benchmarks from the U.S. Census. The survey was also weighted

by partisan identification. The margin of error is 3.04%

Which of the following should be America’s top global

priorities? (Please Select Two)

53

38

22

15

14

11

6

4

4

2

1

<1

18

The War on ISIS

U.S. Immigration Policy

Trade Deficit

North Korea

The Assertiveness of Russia

The Rise of China

The War on al-Qaeda

Iran

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

U.S. Relations with Egypt and Saudi Arabia

The Civil War in Libya

The Civil War in Yemen

Other

Which of the following issues should be America’s top global priorities? (Please Select Two)

Oct. 2016

American Attitudes toward the Israeli-

Palestinian Conflict

Thinking about U.S. interests, how

important of an issue is the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict?

5

23

41

29

1

16

41

38

1

12

44

39

3

18

41

34

The single most important issue forthe U.S.

Among the top three issues

Among the top five issues

Not among the top five issues

Thinking about U.S. interests, how important of an issue is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Oct. 2016

Republican Democrat Independent Total

As you may know, there have been suggestions that the UN Security

Council should endorse the establishment of a Palestinian state.

This idea has received some support in Europe, but opposition in Israel. If the UN Security Council considers such a

plan, what do you think the U.S. should do as a member of the UN Security

Council?

17

51

29

51

16

29

22

17

59

34

31

32

Vote in favor of endorsing the establishment ofa Palestinian state

Vote against endorsing the establishment of aPalestinian state including using America'sveto power to prevent such an endorsement

Abstain from voting

What do you think the U.S. should do as a member of the UN Security Council?

Nov. 2016


18

43

37

39

15

42

15

13

65

27

26

43

17

51

29

51

16

29

22

17

59

34

31

32

Vote in favor of endorsing the establishment of a Palestinianstate

Vote against endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian stateincluding using America's veto power to prevent such an

endorsement

Abstain from voting



endorsement

Abstain from voting



endorsement

Abstain from voting



endorsement

Abstain from voting

RE

PD

EM

IND

TO

TA

LWhat do you think the U.S. should do as a member of

the UN Security Council?

Nov. 2015 Nov. 2016

33

26

39

30

34

32

37

32

27

Vote in favor of endorsing theestablishment of a Palestinian state

Vote against endorsing theestablishment of a Palestinian state

including using America's vetopower to prevent such an

endorsement

Abstain from voting

What do you think the U.S. should do as a member of the UN Security Council?

18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

In general, what role do you want the new Trump administration to play in

mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Should the new Trump administration:

56

<1

42

17

11

69

29

2

66

35

6

57

Lean toward Israel

Lean toward the Palestinians

Lean toward neither side


Nov. 2016


28

6

63

33

6

60

43

4

50

Lean toward Israel




18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

If the new Trump administration engages in

mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, what do you believe it will, in

fact, do?

62

<1

35

55

14

27

46

10

42

57

8

32

Lean toward Israel



If the new Trump administration engages in mediating the Israeli Palestinian conflict,

what do you believe it will, in fact, do?

Nov. 2016


47

11

39

56

8

33

67

5

25

Lean toward Israel



If the new Trump administration engages in mediating the Israeli Palestinian conflict, what do you

believe it will, in fact, do?

18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

One of the issues of tension between the United States and Israel has been its construction of Israeli settlements in the territories occupied by Israel in

the 1967 war. These settlements are considered illegal by most of the international community and have been opposed by every U.S. administration,

both Republican and Democratic. The Israeli government has continued to build settlements arguing that they have the right to do so, or that

these are not obstacles to peace.

How do you believe the U.S. should react to new settlements?

68

31

37

60

54

42

52

46

Do nothing/ Limit U.S. oppositionto words

Impose some economicsanctions/Take more serious action


Nov. 2016


60

38

58

37

52

46

Do nothing/ Limit U.S. opposition towords

Impose some economic sanctions/Takemore serious action


Nov. 2014 Nov. 2015 Nov. 2016

66

32

51

48

67

31

68

26

46

49

64

30

68

31

37

60

54

42







RE

PD

EM

IND


Nov. 2014 Nov. 2015 Nov. 2016

48

51

51

47

56

41

Do nothing/Limit U.S. opposition towords

Impose some economicsanctions/Take more serious action


18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

The Obama administration is reportedly considering taking action on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in the hope that it would preserve the two-

state solution that the U.S. supports as a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Two options are reportedly being considered. One is a UN Resolution stating the parameters of a solution. The other is to take

steps to limit the Israeli settlement buildup in the West Bank that both Republican and Democratic administrations have opposed. I would like

to ask you the following questions related to these proposals.

Now tell me how much you agree or disagree with each of the following:

It’s wrong for Obama to act on such an important issue during the transition. The decision on this issue should be left to President Trump to deal with, regardless of the complexity of our political

system. Besides, it’s not up to the United States and the international community to decide the final parameters of the

political solution on this issue. This should be left first and foremost to the parties themselves. In addition, the Israeli

government has opposed such steps and we must be mindful not to alienate them.

73

19

5

21

24

53

45

37

16

46

23

28

Strongly/Somewhat Agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Strongly/Somewhat Disagree

It’s wrong for Obama to act on such an important issue during the transition. The decision on this issue should be left to President Trump

to deal with, regardless of the complexity of our political system.

Nov. 2016


37

32

27

46

24

28

53

15

30




It’s wrong for Obama to act on such an important issue during the transition. The decision on this issue should be left to

President Trump to deal with, regardless of the complexity of our political system.

18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

The Obama administration is reportedly considering taking action on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in the hope that it would preserve the two-

state solution that the U.S. supports as a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Two options are reportedly being considered. One is a UN Resolution stating the parameters of a solution. The other is to take

steps to limit the Israeli settlement buildup in the West Bank that both Republican and Democratic administrations have opposed. I would like

to ask you the following questions related to these proposals.

Now tell me how much you agree or disagree with each of the following:

One reason the United States has been ineffective in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that American Presidents face

domestic political constraints in Congress, campaign contributions, and lobbies. Presidents have an opportunity to act

effectively to advance the national interest during the Presidential transitions when they face fewer constraints. President Ronald

Reagan did this before he left office in starting a dialogue with the Palestine Liberation Organization that may have helped bring the PLO and Israel together five years later. The US has a stake in this issue and it’s clear the parties have not been able to resolve it on

their own. Obama should seize the opportunity.

20

28

49

71

19

9

35

38

27

45

25

28




The U.S. has a stake in this issue and it’s clear the parties have not been able to resolve it on their own. Obama should seize the opportunity.

Nov. 2016


47

31

22

40

27

30

48

18

31




The U.S. has a stake in this issue and it’s clear the parties have not been able to resolve it on their own. Obama should seize the opportunity.

18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

Now tell me how you feel about the following

possibilities:

President Obama’s support or sponsorship for a United Nations

resolution that outlines the parameters for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

before he leaves office.

50

26

22

7

21

70

23

38

37

27

25

46

Strongly/Somewhat Oppose

Neither Oppose nor Support

Strongly/Somewhat Support

President Obama’s support or sponsorship for a United Nations resolution that outlines the parameters for ending the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict before he leaves office.

Nov. 2016


20

29

50

28

28

42

34

18

46




President Obama’s support or sponsorship for a United Nations resolution that outlines the parameters for ending the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict before he leaves office.

18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

Now tell me how you feel about the following possibilities:

President Obama’s support or sponsorship for a United

Nations Resolution to end Israeli settlement

construction in the West Bank before he leaves office.

57

23

16

11

20

65

33

37

28

33

23

40




President Obama’s support or sponsorship for a United Nations resolution to end Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank


Nov. 2016


23

25

51

34

26

36

41

20

35




President Obama’s support or sponsorship for a United Nations resolution to end Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank


18-34 35-54 55+

Nov. 2016

Generally speaking, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statements on the U.S.-

Israeli relationship?

Israel is an important ally to the United States as it provides

essential military and intelligence cooperation and

plays a regional role that’s helpful to American interests.

12

85

26

70

26

68

20

76


Strongy/Somewhat Agree

Israel is an important ally to the United States as it provides essential military and intelligence cooperation and plays a regional role that’s

helpful to American interests

Nov. 2016


27

70

23

71

11

86



Israel is an important ally to the United States as it provides essential military and intelligence cooperation and plays a regional role that’s

helpful to American interests

Nov. 2016

18-34 35-54 55+

Generally speaking, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statements on the U.S.-

Israeli relationship?

Israel is a burden to the U.S. as Israel’s actions in the region generate hostility

toward the United States in Arab and Muslim-majority

countries.

71

24

39

55

52

41

54

40



Israel is a burden to the U.S. as Israel’s actions in the region generate hostility toward the United States in Arab and Muslim-majority

countries

Nov. 2016


49

48

51

42

61

31



Israel is a burden to the U.S. as Israel’s actions in the region generate hostility toward the United States in Arab and Muslim-majority

countries

Nov. 2016

18-34 35-54 55+

How much influence do you believe the Israeli

government has on American politics and

policies?

22

22

54

9

55

35

14

36

44

15

39

44

Too little influence

Too much influence

About the right level of influence

How much influence do you believe the Israeli government has on American politics and policies?

Nov. 2016


22

25

52

14

49

36

17

35

42

18

37

44

22

22

54

9

55

35

14

36

44

15

39

44


Too much influence



Too much influence



Too much influence



Too much influence


RE

PD

EM

IND

TO

TA

L


Nov. 2015 Nov. 2016

15

42

41

16

41

41

15

35

48


Too much influence



Nov. 2016

18-34 35-54 55+

[Open-Ended Question]

Please name a national or world leader you admire

most

[Open-Ended Question]Please name a national or world leader you admire most

18

11

5

4

50

5

4

3

Ronald Reagan

Benjamin Netanyahu

Pope Francis

George W. Bush

Barack Obama

Angela Merkel

Justin Trudeau

Bernie Sanders

RE

PD

EM

Oct. 2016

american attitudes on the israeli-palestinian conflict · 2016-12-02 · weighted by age, gender,...

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