American Jews still have a favorable opinion of Obama, but are concerned about
his policies regarding Israel’s future, a comprehensive bipartisan poll of 600
likely American- Jewish voters indicated. The poll, sponsored by
SecureAmericaNow, was taken by Republican pollsters McLaughlin & Associates
and Democrat Pat Caddell.
Among those polled, 65 percent voted for Obama,
24% for John McCain, and 5% did not vote, or voted for someone else. Sixtyfour
percent had a favorable opinion of Obama and approved of his general
performance.
RELATED:US Jews say 'Boycott Law' hurts freedom of expression Editorial: Obama, Israel and the Jewish vote But only 43% would vote to re-elect Obama, while 48% would
consider voting for someone else, and 9% are undecided.
And when it comes
to Israel – which a plurality said was the most important issue to them – the
poll found problematic numbers for Obama.
Indeed, two-thirds of those
polled said they would be concerned about Obama’s policies toward Israel if he
were re-elected.
Meanwhile, 81% said they were against Israel being
forced to return to pre-1967 lines, which Obama said should be the basis for
talks, with land swaps.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) believe Jerusalem
should remain the undivided capital of Israel. Only 8% think the US should force
Israel to give parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian
Authority.
Sixty-four percent believe that if the PA was given its own
state in the West Bank, part of Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians
would try to destroy Israel with terror. Only 16% think the Palestinians would
coexist peacefully with Israel.
An overwhelming majority – 88.5% – agree
with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s position that before the PA is given
its own country, it must first recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish
state.
Respondents were strongly pro- Netanyahu, with 65% viewing him
favorably and 20% unfavorably.
Asked whether Obama was more pro- Israel
or pro-Palestinian, 43% said they were unsure. Among those with an opinion, 31%
thought he favored the Palestinians, and just 26% said he was more pro-
Israel.
The recent numbers are more favorable to Obama than The Jerusalem
Post-sponsored polls that asked Israelis the same question.
According to
the last Smith research poll published in the Post on May 27, just 12% of
Israeli Jews said Obama was more pro- Israel, 40% said he was more
pro-Palestinian, 34% said he was neutral, and 13% did not express an opinion.