Americans support Israel—with their words at  least

ENCINITAS, Calif. —The two leading partisan pollsters, Republican-leaning Public Opinion Strategies and Democrat-leaning Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research conducted a survey (with link to questionnaire and results) of U.S. “opinion elite” attitude toward Israel. Opinion elite is loosely defined as college grad or post-graduate, all earning above $75,000, 99% saying they will vote in 2008,most regular readers of major newspapers, newsmagazines and TV news viewers.

The result is comforting to its sponsor, the pro-Israel Israel Project. Support for Israel is at its highest since 2002, 63% very favorable toward Israel, an increase of 5%. 26% are very favorable toward the Palestinians, a decline from 31% in 2002. Focusing, when competing for support in “the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians” 65% support Israel but only 10% the Palestinians. Further focusing reveals attitudes toward who is “more responsible for instability in the Middle East”: 12% “Israel and its policies”, 73% “Islamic extremism.” 72% think “Even though the Palestinians have formed a unity government with both Hamas and Fatah, the United States should not resume sending aid to the Palestinian Authority until the new Palestinian government ends the culture of hate that teaches children to hate the west and glorify suicide bombers.” And, only 33% think “Now that the Palestinians have formed a unity government with both Hamas and Fatah, the United States should resume sending financial aid to the Palestinian Authority.”

31% of the respondents are Republican, 37% Democrat, 31% Independent about 1/3rd leaning Republican, 1/3rd leaning Democrat and 1/3rd of other independent leanings. Self-declaration has 30% conservative, 29% liberal, and 40% moderate.

While this poll is comforting to supporters of Israel, there is a key question not asked that would provide greater comfort. Since most Democrats and Independents have given up on the U.S. involvement in Iraq, how much can Israel depend upon their support when the going is tough for Israel? Talk is cheap. Blood and guts are dear.