Only 4% Of Israelis Say Obama Is "Pro-Israel"

Only 4 percent of Israelis believe President Barack Obama's Mideast policies are "pro-Israel," according to a Smith Research poll this week. The number was 6 percent two months ago.

Thirty-five percent believe Obama's policies are balanced, while 51 percent say they are more pro-Palestine, according to the study.

The figures come in the midst of Obama's attempt to broker peace between Israel and Palestine as well as his efforts to repair the fissure between Islam and the West by reaching out to Arab and Middle Eastern countries.

Two months ago, 88 percent of Israelis said the policies of President George Bush, Obama's predecessor, were "pro-Israel."

While Obama has hardly altered US policies toward Israel, he has broken from tradition by taking a strong stance against Israel's building of permanent settlements in the West Bank, a region recognized globally as part of the Palestinian territories. Obama has said that the settlements "have to be stopped" in order to achieve peace in the region.

When the Israeli government refused to comply, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reaffirmed that the Obama administration is "very clear" that settlement growth needs to be halted, "intends to press that point."

Obama, who overwhelmingly won the votes of American Jews in 2008, has since come under criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of the Republican party, which are likely to have impacted Obama's popularity in Israel.

Earlier this month, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Netanyahu called senior White House officials Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod "self-hating Jews," which Haaretz said was a sign of Netanyahu's "paranoia."

This summer, lone Jewish GOP Congressman Eric Cantor labeled Obama's Mid-East policy "dangerous" and "misguided," and later echoed this criticism during a trip to Israel.

Comments

[dhonig]

10:52 AM on 09/01/2009

Has anybody seen the internals on any of these polls? It should be fairly obvious that we should not trust any poll that reaches such absolute numbers without seeing the actual questions or the persons polled.

[Goefel]

06:16 PM on 08/31/2009

From the article: Only 4 percent of Israelis believe President Barack Obama's Mideast policies are "pro-Israel," Two months ago, 88 percent of Israelis said the policies of President George Bush, Obama's predecessor, were "pro-Israel."

-What else is there to say. Are a majority of Americans now anti-Israel because they did not elect Bush for a third term (AKA John McCain, The original neocon)?

Eric Cantor labeled Obama's Mid-East policy "dangerous" and "misguided,"

-For Eric Cantor to criticize America's policy toward Israel, clearly shows his loyalty issues (yes it's true). This is a problem and people like Cantor need to be rebuked, because they need to realize Israeli policy is not in accord with the US policy. The policy that the president pursues is one of balance, and will not destroy the Jewish state. With extremist talk like "dangerous and misguided" we have a new minority speaker that is doing a disservice to his country.

[Heschel]

05:27 PM on 08/31/2009

What is dangerous to the negotiation process is all the prediscussion which takes place in our trying to predict what the outcome will be. Let the world Leaders discuss and then reveal to us the details. The financial markets willgo on successfully.Do'nt worry so much.

[GrumpyinAZ]

04:48 PM on 08/31/2009

They should refuse our aid

[fbr79]

02:49 PM on 08/31/2009

I couldn't care less about any country thinking the American president is pro or against them....he was elected to do the job here.

Much more interesting are President Obama's numbers:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

[SpoonieLuv]

12:57 PM on 08/31/2009

Wow, with a 4 percent approval rating in Israel, The President and Sec. Clinton must be doing something right! Mr. Obama's patience vis a vis Netanyahu has been astonishing thus far. I only hope that if the Israeli government continues to refuse the US conditions for a peace process, Mr. Obama will force peace upon them through some kind of aid for settlement eviction scheme. That country has been a thorn in our side for too long and we cannot have them continuing to antagonize their neighbors, because it reflects poorly on us.

[pgmark]

12:34 PM on 08/31/2009

When peace happens and it will, it will be a pleasure not to hear from the anti-Israel crowd who have found a home at HP. With the least provacation they come with their talking points. Whether the story has some merit or is one of the many unimportant HP posts they are ready to pounce.
Many of the pro Israel have done the same.
As we all know polls are influenced by how the questions are asked, if it is a snapshot etc.
As far as Israel if you, whose are mostly dishonest in viewing things from the other side - I would be skeptical of US policy if I was an Israeli just as I would feel the same if I was a Palastinian.

The president is working hard for a just peace as our many in Middle-East countries -
As I have said neither side will be happy with the final outcome if it is a just peace.
But peace gets you to move forward.

I ask all who post - try and turn down the ANTI- rhetoric and try working for a just peace - Israel and the Palistinians will figure it out.

[Goefel]

09:59 AM on 09/01/2009

I agree with the idea of a lasting peace, but you need to be aware that Israel is the one who is spoiling the peace agreement long term success. They continue to usurp lands that are outside of their borders and they have built homes since 1967 on illegally occupied lands. The Israeli government continues to construct new housing developments in the occupied territories, but they are illegal under international law. They are only allowed to construct outposts for their defense on these lands.
Once they stop their settlements, which the US president is working toward achieving, there can be a negotiated peace. Israel needs to realize it's in their interest to finally comply with international law and respect it neighbors. The games Netanyahu is playing with the US is already tarnishing the credibility of Israel. The US is the only ally of Israel, and they should respect our wishes for peace in the region.

[pgmark]

11:44 AM on 09/02/2009

The peace is being spoiled by both sides. There is plenty being done by Hamas that is unjust and an impedament to peace.

Everything will be on the table - and as I have been saying for the last two months peace is closer than it has ever been. P/I will get there - they both know what they have to do - and they both want this to end.

[GeorgeP922]

11:39 AM on 08/31/2009

Good, thank god you think that. Now join the rest of the war-addicted countries that hate the great America.

And if Israelis are stupid enough not to realize that Obama is the only hope they got, then they should ally themselves with Russia or China.

To be honest, they might be better off with China, they are a full scale military industrial complex, especially the "industrial" part.

[sense11]

11:15 AM on 08/31/2009

Well the President is no in favor of displacing and exterminating people.

Is that what it mean to be Pro Israel?

Because that's the only reason they say he doesn't support them. Because hes not in favor of increasing the settlements.

[vonPinto]

10:37 AM on 08/31/2009

Hey guys, the days of free lunch is over. Get used to it.

We think America first, and others later.

[bruster55]

10:32 AM on 08/31/2009

I think that this is a good thing. I exect the President of The United States to be Pro-American. He is doing what is best for the United States. He is not concerned about public opinion in a country that has not truthfully told the world about their nuclear arsenal.

[peterbeagle]

02:19 PM on 08/31/2009

totally correct. The President of the US should be pro-American, and on every other issue, pro truth, fairness, and (dare one hope?) common sense!

[javagirl322]

10:08 AM on 08/31/2009

Only 4%....what a surprise. ..as long as Netanyahu is poisoning the well water.

[jordanispalestine]

03:19 PM on 08/31/2009

4%...THAT many!

[PWM]

10:07 AM on 08/31/2009

We need a president who is propeace, not proIsrael.

[j0em0mma]

09:53 AM on 08/31/2009

So?

[sense11]

07:32 AM on 08/31/2009

if it weren't for our money and our military aid this little country would not exist. How about a thank you every once in a while. Obama cares for all, not just them.

[GZLives]

10:29 AM on 08/31/2009

"if it weren't for our money and our military aid this little country would not exist"

Do you really think Israel is Haiti or Cuba or some third world country? Sorry to disappoint you but
Israeli GDP is over 200 billion USD, 2-3 billion of US aid is about 1-1.5% of the GDP, and perhaps 5% of the defense budget (13.3 billion in 2009).

Israel can not only do without it, but could easily make it up if they started selling weapons to China or India or elsewhere on the open market competing with the US which current agreements with the US do not allow.

Or did you think we were just giving Israel weapons because we like them so much ... or more likely, because AIPAC (enter scary music) demanded it?