Poll Shows That Israel is a Staunch American Ally
Israelis Overwhelmingly Appreciate U.S. Support for Israel and Believe that Mutual Strategic Interests are a Key Factor in the Special Relationship
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Ramat Gan, May 18, 2007
The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies ("The BESA Center") and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today released results of a comprehensive poll which surveyed Israeli opinion on a range of issues relating to US-Israel and Israel-Diaspora relations. The poll is the first comprehensive survey on these issues in more than 30 years, and was carried-out as part of a broad-ranging BESA-ADL international conference on "US-Israel Relations in a New Era," May 20 - 21 at the BESA Center in Israel.
How Israelis View America
Poll respondents were asked for their views on the strength, reliability and character of the US-Israel relationship. Two-thirds of Israelis have a positive perception of the US (64%), versus only eight percent (8%) with a negative view of the US. Most Israelis view the US as a loyal ally of Israel (65%).
The vast majority of those surveyed (91%), believe that close relations between the US and Israel are vital for the security of Israel. Eighty percent (80%) believe that the US will come to Israel's assistance should Israel's existence be threatened. Seventy-three percent (73%) consider President George W. Bush as friendly to Israel.
A majority of Israelis (59%) believe that in retrospect the US was correct in going to war in Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein, in contrast to the majority of Americans (including American Jews). Thirty-six percent (36%) disagree.
Seventy-one percent (71%) of Israelis surveyed believe that if the international diplomatic effort and economic sanctions fail to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the US "should use force" to destroy the Iranian nuclear facilities.
"This poll clearly demonstrates the strength of the special relationship that binds Israel and America together," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "Israelis view the US as their closest and most important ally. Similarly, U.S. public support for Israel is based on the perception of Israel as a strategic and value-based ally. The two countries share a truly remarkable, unique alliance."
Poll director Prof. Eytan Gilboa of the BESA Center, an expert on American-Israeli relations, added that "Israelis overwhelmingly appreciate US support for Israel and believe that mutual strategic interests are a key factor in the special relationship."
BESA Center Director Prof. Efraim Inbar said that "Israelis have a strategic prism on regional affairs. They supported the deposing of Saddam Hussein and clearly expect the US to deal with the much greater threat posed by Iran."
Prof. Gilboa noted that this survey of Israeli opinion on US-Israel relations is the first comprehensive survey of its kind since 1983; and that the BESA Center and the ADL jointly intend to conduct follow-up polling on a regular basis.
How Israelis View American Jews
The poll also surveyed Israeli opinion of American Jews and their connection to Israel. Fifty-two percent (52%) of Israelis believe that the level of American Jewish support for Israel is sufficient, but one-third believes the opposite. Forty-nine percent (49%) believe that US Jews are assimilating rapidly and they fear that American Judaism eventually will disappear. A majority (57%) think that American Jews might vote for a presidential or congressional candidate who is anti-Israel, while 38 percent (38%) reject this possibility.
"These results suggest that Israelis are concerned about American Jewish support for Israel over the long term," said Prof. Gilboa of the BESA Center. "They fear that US Jewry does not place Israel high-up enough on its scale of priorities."
505 adult Israelis were surveyed between May 1-4, 2007 by the "Ma'gar Mochot" polling agency. The survey has a margin of error of 4.7 percent.
Summary of Key Survey Results
Results of a BESA Center/ADL Survey of Israeli Opinion
on US-Israel Relations:
Prepared for the international conference on "US-Israel Relations in a New Era," Sunday-Monday, May 20-21, 2007 at the BESA Center. Conducted by the Ma'gar Mochot polling agency for the BESA Center/ADL, between May 1-4, 2007. 505 adult Israelis were surveyed. Margin of error: 4.7%
On US-Israel Relations
65% "agree" and "definitely agree" with the statement that the US is a loyal ally of Israel; 11% disagree.
64% describe their attitude, as an Israeli, towards the US, as good or very good; only 8% say their attitude is negative.
80% believe that if Israel reaches a point of serious crisis where its very existence is threatened -- a "moment of truth" -- the US will come to Israel's assistance.
48% say that the main reason why the US will continue to maintain close ties with Israel in the future is Israel's critical role as a strategic partner of the US; 30% say the reason is the political role of US Jewry; and 17% say the reason is democratic tradition and shared values.
91% believe that close relations between the US and Israel are essential for the security of Israel.
73% say that President Bush's attitude towards Israel is friendly.
60% say that US and Israeli interests in the Middle East are similar; 36% say that the two countries have different regional interests.
51% of Israelis think that in the near future the US might impose a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while 43% do not believe this will happen.
71% of Israelis surveyed believe that if the international diplomatic effort and economic sanctions fail to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the US "should use force" to destroy the Iranian nuclear facilities.
59% believe that in retrospect the US was correct in going to war in Iraq; 36% disagree.
On American Jewry
52% believe that the level of American Jewish support for Israel is sufficient; 33% say the support is insufficient.
62% say that American Jews have a right to freely and publicly criticize Israel and Israeli policies; which is more than double the number of Israelis who feel otherwise.
49% believe that US Jews are assimilating rapidly and are in danger of disappearing.
69% believe that every American Jew should visit Israel.
57% think it possible that American Jews might vote for a presidential or congressional candidate who is anti-Israel; while 38% reject this notion.
54% believe that there is anti-Semitism in the US, but that it is not significant; 36% believe that anti-Semitism is a significant problem in the US.
The Conference
"US-Israel Relations in a New Era," a two-day international conference takes place May 20-21, 2007 at the BESA Center. Among the conference foci: domestic influences on U.S. Mideast policy (including the Walt/Mearsheimer accusation that the pro-Israel lobby holds undue influence), American policy dilemmas regarding Iran and Iraq, the new Congress and Israel, American Christian support for Israel, U.S.-Israel defense and security cooperation, changing American Jewish demography and its impact on Israel-Diaspora relations, and more.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Jones will deliver a keynote address on U.S.-Israel security cooperation Among the major figures presenting at the conference are Prof. Steven David of Johns Hopkins U, Prof. Dov Waxman of CUNY, Ken Jacobson, ADL Deputy National Director, Prof. Ira Sheskin of U of Miami, Prof. Chaim Waxman of Rutgers U, Prof. Jonathan Stevenson of the U.S. Naval War College, Dr. Emanuele Ottolenghi of the Transatlantic Institute in Brussels, and Steven Simon of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
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