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US view on 'Israel', Netanyahu and US-'Israel' relations in numbers

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
23 Aug 2023 15:03

Americans view the Israeli occupation and its government differently this year, and the numbers are not in Netanyahu's favor.

A man waves Israeli and US flags during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, outside of the US Embassy Branch Office in 'Tel Aviv,' occupied Palestine, on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (AP)

Americans generally hold positive opinions of the Israeli occupation. However, their perspectives on the Israeli occupation government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exhibit more variability, as per recent surveys by the Pew Research Center. Although Netanyahu was recently extended an invitation to meet US President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, a specific date for the meeting has yet to be established.

How do Americans feel about "Israel," its relationship with the US, and Netanyahu?

1. Divergent attitudes toward "Israel": Age, Partisanship, and Religion

Over half of Americans (55%) held a favorable perception of "Israel" in 2022, with distinctions evident across age groups, political affiliations, and religious identities. Older individuals and Republicans exhibited higher rates of favorability, while divisions were observable among religious groups.

Elderly individuals aged 65 and above (69%) and those between 50 and 64 (60%) held favorable opinions of "Israel," contrasting with 49% among those aged 30 to 49, and 41% among those under 30. Republicans and Republican-leaning individuals were notably more inclined to view "Israel" positively (71%) than Democrats and Democratic leaners (44%). Conservative Republicans demonstrated particularly strong favorability (75%).

Among religious groups, a majority of Protestants (63%) and Catholics (58%) expressed favorable sentiments toward "Israel," in contrast to approximately 42% of religiously unaffiliated Americans. Among Protestants, White evangelicals (80%) exhibited more positive attitudes toward "Israel" compared to White nonevangelicals (61%) and Black Protestants (43%).

2. People vs. Government: Differing Favorability

In 2022, American sentiments skewed more favorably toward the Israeli settlers (66%) than its government (48%), consistent with how Americans assess other countries. This contrast highlights the distinction between public sentiment toward governments versus their citizens.

3. Perception of Netanyahu

Around a quarter of Americans (26%) were unfamiliar with Benjamin Netanyahu in a March 2023 survey. Of those familiar with him, opinions were polarized, with more expressing negativity (42%) than positivity (32%). Partisan divides emerged, with Republicans having more confidence in Netanyahu compared to Democrats.

Perceptions of Netanyahu varied by political affiliation and ideological stance. Republicans exhibited significantly higher confidence in him (49%) compared to Democrats (17%).

4. Perceptions of US-Israeli Relations

In 2022, the majority of Americans (74%) perceived US-Israeli relations as positive, a sentiment shared by Democrats and Republicans alike. Age and education also played a role, in influencing perceptions of this bilateral relationship.

Older Americans were more likely than their younger counterparts to characterize the relationship between the two countries as favorable. Furthermore, college-educated individuals were more prone to label the relationship positively, particularly those with postgraduate degrees.

5. Biden's approach to Israelis and Palestinians

A substantial proportion (62%) of Americans were uncertain about President Biden's stance on favoring Israelis or Palestinians in 2022. A smaller number felt he was striking the right balance (16%), favoring Palestinians too much (13%), or favoring Israelis too much (8%). Party affiliation contributed to the varying perspectives on this matter.

Democratic and Republican responses to this question exhibited similar levels of uncertainty. However, among those who offered an opinion, Democrats were more inclined to believe Biden was striking the right balance (26%), while Republicans were more likely to think he was favoring Palestinians excessively (26%).