[Episcopal News Service]
A survey released May 8, shortly after Congress passed resolutions expressing support for Israel's incursions into the West Bank, show that the American public wants its government to be more even-handed in the conflict--and only 22 percent believe that it currently plays that role.
The poll of 801 people by the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) found that both the Israelis and Palestinians are equally to blame for the current situation with over 60 percent in favor of withholding aid to both Israel and the Palestinian Authority if they fail to agree to a cease-fire and return to the negotiating table.
Only 17 percent of those who responded see Israel's conflict with the Palestinians as part of the war on terrorism launched by the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11. About 63 percent also endorsed President George W. Bush's call for Israel to withdraw.
'What this poll makes clear is that recent actions by Congress are out of step with the American public and their views on the crisis in the Middle East,' said Steven Kull, director of PIPA. 'Americans clearly hold both sides equally responsible for the current situation and are willing to increase pressure on both sides to achieve a peace deal.' An overwhelming 82 percent support an international conference to reach a peace agreement.
About 76 percent reject suicide bombings as a legitimate form of resistance but 62 percent also think that Israel's recent actions have increased the likelihood that the bombings will continue.
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