As many as 64% of Americans say they have a favorable opinion of Israelis, but only 41% have a favorable view of the Israeli government, and 51% have an unfavorable view of the same government, according to a Pew Research Center survey published Wednesday (U.S. Public Has Favorable View of Israel’s People, but Is Less Positive Toward Its Government).
A similar ration holds in reference to the “Palestinian people” and their government. While 46% of Americans have a favorable view of the “Palestinians,” only a measly 19% have a favorable view of their government.
The survey was conducted April 1-15 among 10,523 American adults.
While majorities in both parties people, 77% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents have favorable views of Israelis, compared with 57% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents.
61% of Republicans have a favorable view of Israel’s government, compared with 32% who don’t. Two-thirds of Democrats have an unfavorable view of Israel’s government, with only 26% having a favorable opinion.
Meanwhile, 73% of Evangelical Protestants have a favorable opinion of Israel’s government, compared with 55% of non-evangelicals.
58% of Democrats view the “Palestinian people” favorably, compared with only 32% of Republicans. 81% of Republicans feel negatively about “Palestinian government,” compared with 65% of Democrats.
The same survey found that 50% of Americans say President Donald Trump is “striking about the right balance” between his approach to Israel and the PA. 34% say he favors Israel too much, only 6% say he favors the PA too much.