American Public Attitudes Toward
the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
A survey sponsored by the
Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland
in cooperation with the
Program for Public Consultation
presented at
The Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution
Shibley Telhami, Principal Investigator
Steven Kull, Evan Lewis, Clay Ramsay, and Katayoun Kishi provided assistance.
Peyton Craighill provided helpful comments.
Survey Methodology
• Study fielded over November 14-19, 2014
• Sample size is 1008 American adults
• Demographic breakdown of sample is compared to U.S. census data
• Online survey format
• Respondents recruited through scientific selection processes
• Margin of error is +/- 3.1% , design effect margin of error is +/- 3.4%
Key Issues
Q1. Please select the one you think the US should support:
Maintain Israeli occupation of
territories captured in 1967
14%
Annexation without equal
citizenship for Palestinians
8%
One state solution with equal
citizenship for Jews and Arabs
34%
Two state solution established
with pre-1967 borders
39%
4%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Q1. Please select the one you think the US should support.
Democrat
Maintain occupation of both the territories Israel has captured in 1967 and
the Palestinians inhabiting them indefinitely.
7%
Annexation without equal citizenship: Israel would annex the Palestinian
territories, but keep a majority-Jewish state in the expanded territories by…
4%
A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both Jews and
Arabs 2. A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both…
36%
A two-state solution: Israel and a Palestinian state side by side. The
Palestinian state would be established on the territories that Israel has…
48%
5%
Refused
Independent
Maintain occupation of both the territories Israel has captured in 1967 and
the Palestinians inhabiting them indefinitely.
15%
Annexation without equal citizenship: Israel would annex the Palestinian
territories, but keep a majority-Jewish state in the expanded territories by…
6%
A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both Jews and
Arabs 2. A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both…
42%
A two-state solution: Israel and a Palestinian state side by side. The
Palestinian state would be established on the territories that Israel has…
32%
4%
Refused
Republican
Maintain occupation of both the territories Israel has captured in 1967 and
the Palestinians inhabiting them indefinitely.
21%
Annexation without equal citizenship: Israel would annex the Palestinian
territories, but keep a majority-Jewish state in the expanded territories by…
15%
A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both Jews and
Arabs 2. A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both…
27%
A two-state solution: Israel and a Palestinian state side by side. The
Palestinian state would be established on the territories that Israel has…
33%
4%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Q2. If the approach you selected turns out over time to be
impossible, which of the remaining three would you prefer?
Maintain Israeli occupation of
territories captured in 1967
22%
Annexation without equal citizenship
for Palestinians
10%
One state solution with equal
citizenship for Jews and Arabs
66%
2%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Q2. If the approach you selected turns out over time to be
impossible, which of the remaining three would you prefer?
Democrat
Maintain occupation of both the territories Israel has captured in 1967 and
the Palestinians inhabiting them indefinitely.
16%
Annexation without equal citizenship: Israel would annex the Palestinian
territories, but keep a majority-Jewish state in the expanded territories by…
7%
A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both Jews and
Arabs are full and equal citizens, covering all of what is now Israel and the…
75%
2%
Refused
Independent
Maintain occupation of both the territories Israel has captured in 1967 and
the Palestinians inhabiting them indefinitely.
18%
Annexation without equal citizenship: Israel would annex the Palestinian
territories, but keep a majority-Jewish state in the expanded territories by…
9%
A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both Jews and
Arabs are full and equal citizens, covering all of what is now Israel and the…
70%
3%
Refused
Republican
Maintain occupation of both the territories Israel has captured in 1967 and
the Palestinians inhabiting them indefinitely.
34%
Annexation without equal citizenship: Israel would annex the Palestinian
territories, but keep a majority-Jewish state in the expanded territories by…
15%
A one-state solution: A single democratic state in which both Jews and
Arabs are full and equal citizens, covering all of what is now Israel and the…
51%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Q3. Which of the following statements is closer to your view if a
two-state solution is not an option?
I favor Israel’s democracy more
than its Jewishness
71%
I favor the Jewishness of Israel
more than its democracy
24%
5%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Q3. Which of the following statements is closer to your
view if a two-state solution is not an option
Democrat
I favor Israel’s democracy more than its Jewishness. I support a single
democratic state in which Arabs and Jews are equal.
84%
I favor the Jewishness of Israel more than its democracy. I support the
continuation of Israel’s Jewish majority even if it means that
Palestinians will not have citizenship and full rights.
12%
4%
Refused
Independent
I favor Israel’s democracy more than its Jewishness. I support a single
democratic state in which Arabs and Jews are equal.
68%
I favor the Jewishness of Israel more than its democracy. I support the
continuation of Israel’s Jewish majority even if it means that
Palestinians will not have citizenship and full rights.
25%
8%
Refused
Republican
I favor Israel’s democracy more than its Jewishness. I support a single
democratic state in which Arabs and Jews are equal.
60%
I favor the Jewishness of Israel more than its democracy. I support the
continuation of Israel’s Jewish majority even if it means that
Palestinians will not have citizenship and full rights.
37%
3%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Q4. In general, what role do you want the United States to play in
mediating the conflict?
64%
Lean toward neither side
Lean toward the
Palestinians
4%
31%
Lean toward Israel
0%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Q4. In general, what role do you want the United States
to play in mediating the conflict?
77%
Democrat
Lean toward neither side
6%
Lean toward the Palestinians
17%
Lean toward Israel
0%
Refused
73%
Independent
Lean toward neither side
3%
Lean toward the Palestinians
24%
Lean toward Israel
46%
Republican
Lean toward neither side
2%
Lean toward the Palestinians
51%
Lean toward Israel
1%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Q5. When you say you want the US to lean toward Israel, which
one of the following reasons is closest to your view?
I feel it’s my religious or ethnic
duty to support Israel
21%
I feel that supporting Israel
serves the interests of the U.S.
36%
I feel Israel and the U.S. have
shared values
36%
7%
Other
Refused
0%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Q5. When you say you want the US to lean toward
Israel, which one of the following reasons is closest to
your view?
10%
Democrat
I feel it's my religious or ethnic duty to support Israel
I feel that supporting Israel serves the interests of the United
States
28%
54%
I feel Israel and the US have shared values
9%
Other
12%
Independent
I feel it's my religious or ethnic duty to support Israel
I feel that supporting Israel serves the interests of the United
States
37%
33%
I feel Israel and the US have shared values
16%
Other
1%
Refused
27%
Republican
I feel it's my religious or ethnic duty to support Israel
I feel that supporting Israel serves the interests of the United
States
38%
30%
I feel Israel and the US have shared values
5%
Other
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Q16. If the Palestinians proceed with their plan, what do you
think the US should do as a member of the UN Security Council?
45%
Abstain from voting
Vote against endorsing a
Palestinian state; use veto
power to prevent
27%
Vote in favor of endorsing a
Palestinian state
25%
3%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Q16. If the Palestinians proceed with their plan, what do
you think the US should do as a member of the UN
Security Council?
46%
Democrat
Abstain from voting
Vote against endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian state
(including using America’s veto power to prevent such an …
15%
36%
Vote in favor of endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian state
3%
Refused
65%
Independent
Abstain from voting
Vote against endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian state
(including using America’s veto power to prevent such an …
16%
Vote in favor of endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian state
16%
3%
Refused
33%
Republican
Abstain from voting
Vote against endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian state
(including using America’s veto power to prevent such an …
46%
19%
Vote in favor of endorsing the establishment of a Palestinian state
2%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Q17. The Israeli government has continued to build settlements
arguing that they have the right to do so, or that these are not
obstacles to peace. How do you believe the US should react to
new settlements?
11%
Take more serious action
Impose some economic
sanctions
28%
Limit U.S. opposition to words,
but no other action
34%
27%
Do nothing
2%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Q17. The Israeli government has continued to build
settlements arguing that they have the right to do so, or
that these are not obstacles to peace. How do you
believe the US should react to new settlements?
13%
Democrat
Take more serious action
34%
37%
Impose some economic sanctions, either through the United…
Limit US opposition to words, but take no other action
14%
Do nothing
1%
Refused
10%
Independent
Take more serious action
21%
Impose some economic sanctions, either through the United…
28%
Limit US opposition to words, but take no other action
39%
Do nothing
2%
Refused
8%
Republican
Take more serious action
24%
Impose some economic sanctions, either through the United…
33%
33%
Limit US opposition to words, but take no other action
Do nothing
2%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Q18. Do you think it is all right for Israel to build settlements in
these territories, or do you think they should not?
63%
Should not build
34%
All right to build
4%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Q18. Do you think it is all right for Israel to build
settlements in these territories, or do you think they
should not?
75%
Democrat
Should not build
23%
All right to build
Refused
2%
62%
Independent
Should not build
31%
All right to build
8%
Refused
51%
Republican
Should not build
46%
All right to build
Refused
0.00%
3%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
Q20. Of the challenges facing the United States in the
Middle East, which of the following do you believe
threatens American interests the most?
13%
Democrat
The violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
9%
Iranian behavior in general
6%
The instability in Libya
70%
The rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq
3%
Refused
14%
Independent
The violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
13%
Iranian behavior in general
3%
The instability in Libya
67%
The rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq
3%
Refused
11%
Republican
The violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
15%
Iranian behavior in general
1%
The instability in Libya
71%
The rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq
1%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Issue Importance
Q6. Thinking about U.S. interests, how important an issue is the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
41%
Not among the top 5 issues
37%
Among the top 5 issues
16%
Among the top 3 issues
The single most important
issue for the U.S.
5%
1%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Q6. Thinking about U.S. interests, how important an issue
is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
40%
Not among the top five issues
40%
Democrat
Among the top five issues
14%
Among the top three issues
6%
The single most important issue for the US
1%
Refused
54%
Independent
Not among the top five issues
30%
Among the top five issues
11%
Among the top three issues
5%
The single most important issue for the US
35%
Not among the top five issues
38%
Republican
Among the top five issues
21%
Among the top three issues
5%
The single most important issue for the US
1%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Q9. When you think about your priorities for American foreign
policy, how important is maintaining international law?
32%
Not among the top 5 issues
39%
Among the top 5 issues
18%
Among the top three issues
9%
At the top of my priorities
1%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Q9. When you think about your priorities for American
foreign policy, how important is maintaining
international law?
29%
Democrat
Not among the top five issues
42%
Among the top five issues
20%
Among the top three issues for me
9%
At the top of my priorities
46%
Independent
Not among the top five issues
33%
Among the top five issues
13%
Among the top three issues for me
6%
At the top of my priorities
2%
Refused
29%
Republican
Not among the top five issues
40%
Among the top five issues
19%
Among the top three issues for me
11%
At the top of my priorities
2%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Q9a. When you think about your priorities for American foreign
policy, how important is protecting human rights?
16%
Not among the top 5 issues
30%
Among the top 5 issues
29%
Among the top three issues
24%
At the top of my priorities
1%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Q9a. When you think about your priorities for
American foreign policy, how important is protecting
human rights?
11%
Not among the top five issues
24%
Democrat
Among the top five issues
36%
Among the top three issues for me
28%
At the top of my priorities
1%
Refused
26%
Independent
Not among the top five issues
32%
Among the top five issues
20%
Among the top three issues for me
21%
At the top of my priorities
1%
Refused
17%
Republican
Not among the top five issues
35%
Among the top five issues
27%
Among the top three issues for me
22%
At the top of my priorities
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Q8. When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would you
say you are:
21%
Not concerned about the conflict
Mostly concerned about
maintaining international law
8%
Mostly concerned about
protecting human rights
31%
Mostly concerned about the
Palestinian interests
1%
Mostly concerned about
consequences for American
interests
24%
14%
Mostly concerned about Israeli
interests
1%
Refused
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Q8. When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would
you say
20%
I am not concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
10%
Democrat
I am mostly concerned about maintaining international law
42%
I am mostly concerned about protecting human rights
2%
I am mostly concerned about the Palestinian interests
21%
I am mostly concerned about the consequences for American interests
5%
I am mostly concerned about Israeli interests
1%
Refused
30%
I am not concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
10%
Independent
I am mostly concerned about maintaining international law
28%
I am mostly concerned about protecting human rights
1%
I am mostly concerned about the Palestinian interests
22%
I am mostly concerned about the consequences for American interests
8%
I am mostly concerned about Israeli interests
1%
Refused
17%
I am not concerned about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
5%
Republican
I am mostly concerned about maintaining international law
22%
I am mostly concerned about protecting human rights
1%
I am mostly concerned about the Palestinian interests
29%
26%
I am mostly concerned about the consequences for American interests
I am mostly concerned about Israeli interests
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Q19. Which of the following statements is closest to your view?
Palestinian-Israeli violence
will not affect support for
ISIS or its strategies
30%
Palestinian-Israeli violence is
likely to be used by ISIS to
draw support from Muslims
64%
6%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Q19. Which one of the following statements is closest to
your view?
Democrat
Palestinian-Israeli violence will not affect either the support for ISIS or
its strategies. Its aims are independent of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
and it’s unlikely to draw more supporters because of it.
33%
The escalation of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially in Jerusalem, is
likely to be used by ISIS to draw more support among Muslims
worldwide and to focus more attention on confronting Israel and the…
60%
7%
Refused
Independent
Palestinian-Israeli violence will not affect either the support for ISIS or
its strategies. Its aims are independent of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
and it’s unlikely to draw more supporters because of it.
33%
The escalation of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially in Jerusalem, is
likely to be used by ISIS to draw more support among Muslims
worldwide and to focus more attention on confronting Israel and the…
60%
7%
Refused
Republican
Palestinian-Israeli violence will not affect either the support for ISIS or
its strategies. Its aims are independent of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
and it’s unlikely to draw more supporters because of it.
25%
The escalation of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially in Jerusalem, is
likely to be used by ISIS to draw more support among Muslims
worldwide and to focus more attention on confronting Israel and the…
71%
4%
Refused
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Issue Importance
and
Public Attitudes
Q4. In general, what role do you want the United States to play in mediating
the conflict?
Thinking
about U.S.
interests,
how
important
an issue is
the IsraeliPalestinian
conflict?
Not among the top 5 issues
Among the top 5 issues
15%
37%
55%
Single most or top 3 issues
Refused
81%
4%
33%
60%
39%
6%
67%
Q4. In general, what role do you want the United States
to play in mediating the conflict?
– DEMOCRATS ONLY –
Thinking
about U.S.
interests,
how
important
an issue is
the IsraeliPalestinian
conflict?
Not among the top 5
issues
Among the top 5
issues
Single most or
among top 3 issues
Refused
8%
87%
20%
77%
30%
14%
50%
57%
50%
Q3. Which of the following statements is closer to your view if a two-state
solution is not an option?
Thinking
about U.S.
interests,
how
important
an issue is
the IsraeliPalestinian
conflict?
Not among the top 5 issues
19%
77%
Among the top 5 issues
21%
75%
Single most or among the top 3 issues
Refused
42%
56%
54%
44%
Q3. Which of the following statements is closer to your view if a two-state
solution is not an option?
– DEMOCRATS ONLY –
Thinking
about U.S.
interests,
how
important
an issue is
the IsraeliPalestinian
conflict?
Not among the top 5 issues
9%
87%
Among the top 5 issues
8%
89%
Single most or among the top 3 issues
Refused
29%
50%
66%
50%
Q3. Which of the following statements is closer to your view if a two-state
solution is not an option?
– REPUBLICANS ONLY –
Thinking
about U.S.
interests,
how
important
an issue is
the IsraeliPalestinian
conflict?
Not among the top 5 issues
28%
69%
Among the top 5 issues
35%
64%
Single most or among the top 3 issues
54%
42%
Refused
60%
40%
Q16. If the Palestinians proceed with their plan, what do you think the U.S.
should do as a member of the UN Security Council?
Thinking
about U.S.
interests,
how
important
an issue is
the IsraeliPalestinian
conflict?
Not among the top 5 issues
Among the top 5 issues
Single most or among the top 3 issues
Refused
25%
29%
20%
22%
16%
56%
30%
40%
44%
32%
78%
Q16. If the Palestinians proceed with their plan, what do you think the U.S.
should do as a member of the UN Security Council?
– DEMOCRATS ONLY –
Thinking
about U.S.
interests,
how
important
an issue is
the IsraeliPalestinian
conflict?
Not among the top 5 issues
Among the top 5 issues
Single most or among the top 3 issues
Refused
34%
39%
35%
57%
7%
19%
24%
100%
40%
33%
Q3. Which of the following statements is closer to your view if a
two-state solution is not an option?
Would you
describe
yourself as a
born-again
or
evangelical
Christian?
Yes
No
47%
18%
50%
77%
Q5. When you say you want the U.S. to lean toward Israel, which
one of the following reasons is closest to your view?
Would you
describe
yourself as a
born-again
or
evangelical
Christian?
No
Yes
48%
28%
37%
32%
4%
38%
11%
3%
Q5. When you say you want the U.S. to lean toward Israel, which
one of the following reasons is closest to your view?
Jewish,
Jewish American,
or Israeli American
Other ethnicities
40%
35%
28%
36%
24%
21%
Q6. Thinking about US interests, how important an issue is the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
When you
think about
priorities of
U.S. foreign
policy, how
important is
protecting
human
rights?
At the top of my priorities
Among the top 3 issues
Among the top 5 issues
Not among the top 5 issues
15%
17%
23%
12%
7% 18%
40%
26%
41%
33%
41%
45%
71%
Q17. The Israeli government has continued to build settlements arguing that
they have the right to do so, or that these are not obstacles to peace. How do
you believe the US should react to new settlements?
When you
think about
priorities of
U.S. foreign
policy, how
important is
protecting
human
rights?
At the top of my priorities
18%
Among the top 3 issues
20%
Among the top 5 issues
Not among the top 5 issues
29%
37%
39%
28%
30%
10%
27%
10%
34%
51%
14%
27%
12% 9%
Q16. If the Palestinians proceed with their plan, what do you think
the US should do as a member of the UN Security Council?
When you
think about
priorities of
U.S. foreign
policy, how
important is
protecting
human
rights?
35%
At the top of my priorities
Among the top 3 issues
Among the top 5 issues
Not among the top 5 issues
23%
28%
34%
22%
13%
40%
28%
19%
35%
49%
64%