Washington,
D.C. (January 3, 2013) -- The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) today
noted a recent poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the
Press that shows the continuing large gap in support for Israel between
Republicans and Democrats.
The
poll, taken in mid-December, asked, "In the dispute between Israel and
the Palestinians, which side do you sympathize with more, Israel or the
Palestinians?"
The
survey confirms the continued existence of a large "Israel gap" between
Republicans and Democrats. According to Pew, "There continue to be
stark partisan differences in Middle East sympathies.
Conservative Republicans maintain strong support for Israel with fully 75% saying they sympathize with Israel compared with just 2% who sympathize with the Palestinians. By contrast, liberal Democrats are much more divided: 33% sympathize more with Israel, 22% with the Palestinians."
RJC
Executive Director Matt Brooks stated, "This poll confirms the
troubling shift among rank-and-file Democrats, for whom support of
Israel is now a minority position. Other polls this past year, as well
as the boos from the floor when a pro-Israel resolution was brought
before the Democratic National Convention last summer, all point to
lower support for Israel among Democrats.
The
traditional bipartisan support for Israel in Congress and the country
is threatened by the leftward shift of the Democratic Party, a shift
that increasingly makes it hard for some Democratic leaders to support
Israel because of liberal pressure."
# # #
Sources:
Pew poll, December 2012 -- http://www.people-press.org/2012/12/14/public-says-u-s-does-not-have-responsibility-to-act-in-syria/
Gallup poll, March 2012 -- http://www.gallup.com/poll/153092/americans-continue-tilt-pro-israel.aspx
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