POLL EUROPE SUPPORTS ISRAEL

Dramatic rise in Europe's support of Israel

According to survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 37 percent of Germans support Israel's stance in Mideast conflict; in France, support for Israel rises by 17 percent in last four years and is similar to support for Palestinians www.ynetnews.com

In Germany, 37 percent of respondents expressed their support for Israel's stance in the conflict, compared to only 18 percent who supported the Palestinians. A survey conducted about two years ago showed that German citizens were equally divided on the issue of the conflict. At the time, 24 percent of the Germans expressed their support of Israel and a similar number supported the Palestinians.In France, the change was even more dramatic. Some 38 percent of French citizens who participated in the poll expressed a pro-Israeli stance, with the same number expressing a pro-Palestinian stance. This datum constitutes a significant change in favor of Israel, as four years ago 36 percent of the French expressed their support of the Palestinian stance compared to only 19 percent who supported Israel.

In the United States, Israel is supported by a crushing majority. About 48 percent of Americans supported the Israeli stance in the conflict, compared to only 13 percent who supported the Palestinians. In Russia, 21 percent supported Israel compared to 16 percent who supported the Palestinians. Israel lost, however, among the Spanish respondents, with only nine percent supporting the Israeli stance, compared to 32 percent who supported the Palestinians. The Palestinian stance gained a victory also in the United Kingdom, although it was insubstantial: 29 percent compared to 24 percent.

The highest support for Israel among Islamic countries was noted in Pakistan – six percent compared to 59 percent. Iran less worrying than Mideast conflict The 17,000 respondents, from the United States and 14 other countries, were also asked to express their opinion regarding other issues which are on the global agenda. The respondents were asked, among other things, about elements which they believe constitute a danger for world peace, and it turned out that more respondents fear the ramifications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than Iran's nuclear plan. Some 51 percent of Germans responded that the conflict with the Palestinians was dangerous for world peace, as did 45 percent of the British, 43 percent of the Americans and 35 percent of the French. The British and French are less worried about Iran: 34 percent of the British and 31 percent of the French view the nuclear issue are a threat. Referring to Hamas'
victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections, 71 percent of Germans said that it was a "bad" move for the Palestinians.

The same opinion is shared by 69 percent of the French and 50 percent of Americans. In the United Kingdom, however, only 34 percent of respondents said that Hamas' victory was a bad move, compared to 32 percent who viewed it as a "good" move. Pew is an American research center which conducts public opinion polls in 50 countries. One of its co-chairs is former US
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.