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US Public Divides along Party Lines on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura , Dina Smeltz , and Allison Von Borstel
View of the Western Wall, Jerusalem.
Toa Heftiba

In regard to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Republicans (59%) say the US should take Israel’s side, while majorities of Democrats (75%) and Independents (68%) say the US should not take either side.

Key Findings

Majorities of Americans across partisan lines describe the US-Israel relationship as important to US security (78%) and the US economy (72%). 

A slim majority of Americans have not heard enough to voice an opinion on the relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem closely; the rest are evenly divided with 24 percent in favor and 23 percent opposed to the move. Among foreign policy opinion leaders, 58 percent of Republican leaders approve of the move versus 89 percent of Democrats who disapprove. 

A majority of Americans (62%) continue to say that the US should not take sides in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Republicans (59%) say the US should take Israel’s side, while majorities of Democrats (75%) and Independents (68%) say the US should not take either side. 

While support for establishing an independent Palestinian state is at its highest level in Chicago Council polling since 1994, there are sharp divisions between Democrats who favor it (62%) and Republicans opposed (59%). ​ 

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Crown Center Content This content is produced by the Lester Crown Center, which aims to shape debates and inform decisions on important US foreign policy and national security issues.
About the Authors
Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Dina Smeltz, a polling expert, has more than 25 years of experience designing and fielding international social and political surveys. Prior to joining the Council to lead its annual survey of American attitudes on US foreign policy, she served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US State Department's Office of Research from 1992 to 2008.
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Assistant Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Craig Kafura is the assistant director for public opinion and foreign policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, and a Pacific Forum Young Leader. At the Council, he coordinates work on public opinion and foreign policy and is a regular contributor to the public opinion and foreign policy blog Running Numbers.
Allison Von Borstel
Intern, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Intern, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs