A third of Americans support sanctions against Israel.
A third of Americans support sanctions against Israel
A survey conducted in the US has revealed that 37 percent of Americans support sanctions against Israel as a response to settlement-building. Of those, 27 percent support economic sanctions and 10 percent are in favor of even harsher measures. Among Democratic voters the proportion is even higher, with half supporting sanctions.
WASHINGTON - Thirty-seven percent of Americans support sanctions against Israel as a response to settlement-building, according to a survey conducted ahead of the upcoming Saban Forum, which opens on Friday evening in Washington.
The survey also revealed that 27 percent of Americans support economic sanctions against Israel, while 10 percent are in favor of even harsher measures.
Happier times? A third of Americans support sanctions against Israel, a new survey has revealed. (Photo: AP)
The support for sanctions against Israel among Democratic voters is even higher, with 49 percent of Democrats supporting sanctions in response to Israel's settlement-building, according to the survey.
Among the general public, 31 percent are in favor of the US opposing the settlements by adopting an official stance alone, while 27 percent prefer the US not to take any steps regarding the matter.
The survey was conducted by the Brookings Institute. The Saban Forum, a yearly convention that promotes open dialogue between senior Israeli and American political figures, will this year feature US presidential contender Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State John Kerry and US National Security Advisor Susan Rice.
On the Israeli side, Minister of Defense Moshe Ya'alon will be participating in the forum.
The survey also found a near-even split as to desired solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with 31 percent of Americans favoring a one-state outcome and 35 percent favoring a two-state solution. Seventy-two percent of Americans prefer Israel to be a democratic state rather than a Jewish state, in the absence of a two-state solution.
Regarding which role the US should play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 66 percent of Americans express support for the US maintaining neutrality in its mediations. Thirty percent favor the US leaning towards Israel, while only three percent support the US favoring the Palestinians.
As for the possibility of a UN Security Council resolution in favor of a Palestinian state, 45 percent favor a US abstention, 27 percent support the US voting in favor of such a decision and 26 percent believe the US should use its veto.
Looking ahead to the upcoming US presidential elections, 26 percent of Americans say that a candidate's stance towards Israel is very important to them, and 33 percent say that it is somewhat important. Among Republican voters, 40 percent feel that a candidate's stance towards Israel is very important to them.
Meanwhile, 37 percent of Americans believe that Israel has too much influence on US politics, with 18 percent thinking that Israel has too little influence. Forty-four percent think that Israel mostly has the right level of influence over American politicians.
Among Democrats, 49 percent feel that Israel has too much sway over American politics.
