Poll: Nearly 60 Percent Of Americans Believe Israel Justified In Gaza Strikes [View all]

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

Poll: Nearly 60 Percent Of Americans Believe Israel Justified In Gaza Strikes

TOM KLUDT 11:08 AM EST, MONDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2012

Americans are predominantly supportive of the Israeli cause in the nearly week-long conflict that's engulfed the Gaza Strip, according to a poll from CNN and ORC International released on Monday.

Fifty-seven percent of Americans believe that Israel has been justified in its ongoing military strikes in Gaza, while only one in four believe the attacks have been unjustified. Moreover, "nearly six in ten say their sympathies are with the Israelis," compared with a mere 13 percent who back the Palestinians in the conflict. Eleven percent said they support neither side.

But despite the robust support for Israel, CNN notes that the poll still found division in attitudes along ideological, generational and gender-based lines:

"Although most Americans think the Israeli actions are justified, there are key segments of the public who don't necessarily feel that way," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Only four in ten Democrats think the Israeli actions in Gaza are justified, compared to 74% of Republicans and 59% of independents. Support for Israel's military action is 13 points higher among men than among women, and 15 points higher among older Americans than among younger Americans."

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