Israel Matzav

Israel as a wedge issue: 57% of Americans, but only 41% of Democrats, support Gaza operation

There's no election in the US right now, and Israel is still a 'wedge issue' that divides Democrats and Republicans. The Washington Post reports on a poll that shows that while 57% of Americans support Israel's actions in Gaza, only 41% of Democrats (compared with 74% of Republicans and 50% of Independents) do so (Hat Tip: Lance K).

Fifty-seven percent of Americans said Israel’s current military campaign in Gaza is justified, while a quarter said it isn’t, according to a new CNN/ORC International poll released Monday. 

Seventy-four percent of Republicans said the action is justified, compared with 59 percent of independents and 41 percent of Democrats. Overall, nearly one-in-five (19 percent) Americans said they had no opinion. 

Nearly six-in-10 Americans polled (59 percent) said their sympathies were more with the Israelis in the situation in the Middle East, while 13 percent said they were more sympathetic to the Palestinians. Eleven percent said they were not more sympathetic to either side, while 13 percent said they had no opinion. The poll was conducted Friday through Sunday.

The reality is that support for Israel is already a wedge issue in the US, and it is only getting worse. I doubt that there is anything Israel can do - short of committing suicide God forbid - to change that reality. The Left isn't going to become Israel supporting in the foreseeable future. The bigger issue is how we keep Jews who are drifting Left from writing Israel off. The answer to that question is in establishing a connection between these people and Israel, and that can only come about by establishing a connection between these (mostly young) people and Judaism. 

Labels: 2016, Democrats, Republicans, US-Israel relationship

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:08 AM