Poll: By 2-1, U.S. voters oppose West Bank settlements
Rasmussen has been in the field the last few days, polling 1,000 U.S. voters about their attitudes toward Israel, its settlements in the West Bank and its relationship with the United States.
According to the poll, 49 percent of Americans believe that “Israel (should) be required to stop building new settlements in occupied Palestinian territory,” while only 22 percent believe it should not. That represents a strong endorsement of the position taken by the Obama administration.
An even-more overwhelming percentage of Americans — 75 percent — believe that “Palestinian leaders (should) be required to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state” as part of a peace agreement.
But here are the most troubling numbers from Israel’s perspective:
In the poll taken March 15-16, 58 percent of Americans said they consider Israel an ally of the United States, while 32 percent consider it somewhere between an ally and enemy.
In a poll taken by Rasmussen in August, 70 percent said they considered Israel an ally, while just 16 percent considered it somewhere between an ally and enemy.
That kind of erosion ought to worry Israeli policymakers deeply.
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145 comments Add your comment
stands for decibels
March 17th, 2010
2:25 pm
You should try it some time!
hmm… is Tuesday’s special still Baked Butter Chicken?
Paul
March 17th, 2010
2:26 pm
Proud American
I think President Obama has shown he will listen to reason. Some of his members in Congress? Not so much.
Bosch 2:12
What? And spoil all the fun?
Your earlier post – I’m preparing to go out for a while, but you may want to put “is there a decline in doctors seeing new medicare patients 2009″ in your Google search bar.
Mick
In that case, her projection may pan out.
Bosch – in answer to your question about decline in doctors seeing Medicare patients: Exhibit 1: Mick’s sister.
Outhouse GoKart
March 17th, 2010
2:28 pm
Ya…with Extra Butter. I get so many free baked butter chicken meals that sometimes I wonder if they are attemtping to get rid of me via cardiac arrest.
PS…they tell me baked butter chicken with extra butter is all they serve.
Paula Dean
March 17th, 2010
2:29 pm
Hey Y’all…lets put in an extra stick of butter the deep fat fry it…MMMMM!!
Paul
March 17th, 2010
2:29 pm
Hillbilly Deluxe
I asked my doctor’s front office about that. One person, at least, to do insurance claims. Another to do referrals and stay in compliance with various insurance companies’ rules. And on and on and on.
NJ
March 17th, 2010
2:29 pm
The problem is that the average American citizen is capable of holding two diametrically opposite positions. Oppose West Bank Settlements, but want Palestinians to accept the state of Israel.
Ten years ago, the Palestinians two to one, had no problem accepting the state of Israel, but more recent polls shows a radical turn in that belief. The extremism of behavior on the one side, Israel, resulted in the election of an extreme political leadership in Palestine. Every time they accept a set of conditions that Israel demands to allow the Palestinians Statehood, the goal posts are moved.
For decades, they cited that the ONLY conditions were that the Palestinians accept UN resolutions 181 and 242 and then the Palestinians could have their nation. This happened back in the early 1990’s and the Palestinians are still waiting.
The quagmire and stalemate led to another event. 9/11. The only man who saw this coming, thirty years ago, was Jimmy Carter, still the ONLY man who can hold claim to creating a peace between Israel and one of its largest enemies, that has held for more than 30 years. And if anyone doubts the importance of this, one quarter of all the world’s Muslim Arabs live in Egypt. With the stroke of a pen, Carter removed one of Israel’s largest problems.
The U.S. will not simply slap both silly and assert some leadership in the region at all and has not done so for a long time.
On the other hand the idea that the Palestinians are totally innocent victims, is also a false one.
Hamas does not merely exist in Gaza, but has a sizable presence in the West Bank as well, and this year they have already been caught trying to smuggle the material to make Qassam rockets into the West Bank. In Gaza many are regretting the election of Hamas, because families that attempt to stop various groups from setting up rocket launchers on their properties are usually shot on the spot.
Or held at gunpoint until the rockets are fired. Then the Israeli’s launch strikes on people who had nothing to do with the rockets being fired, or tear down their homes in retaliation, etc.
If the U.S. will NOT move for a United Nations peacekeeping force, in strength,. to be placed in the region to insure the peace, then it has to at least be willing to do so itself.
And time’s a wasting. After Operation Cast Lead, most polls showed a precipitous drop in support for Israel with that support dropping below 50 percent for the first time ever.
stands for decibels
March 17th, 2010
2:31 pm
Has anybody else but me noticed, that when you go to the doctor, there are as many office and clerical people working there as there are medical people?
oh yeah.
One of the freelance projects I’d worked on when I was between jobs, some years back, was developing promotional material for a friend who was in the business of handling insurance paperwork for smaller local medical-practitioner outfits. I remember at the time thinking that it spoke volumes about how messed up our nation’s healthcare delivery system really was, that such a business opportunity existed.
Bosch
March 17th, 2010
2:32 pm
Paul and Hillbilly,
My bs meter was reacting to the “doctors in droves” part – like it’s a national epidemic that Medicare patients can’t see doctors. I think that’s bs. Sure it’s alot of paperwork, but that’s part of what this freaking reform stuff is all about – reducing the paperwork – now that opens up a new can o’worms like “do I want my medical records sitting in cyberspace for all the world to see” – cutting of jobs in office workers, etc. One topic at a time though. And, I’m supposed to be talking about Israel. Well, some of those people who lose their jobs could be Jewish.
Outhouse GoKart
March 17th, 2010
2:32 pm
Thats what we need…another rules change. Good work HI!
Hawaii considering law to ignore Obama ‘birthers’
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_birth_certificate
Disgusted
March 17th, 2010
2:33 pm
Bosch – in answer to your question about decline in doctors seeing Medicare patients: Exhibit 1: Mick’s sister.
My own doctor doesn’t take Medicare, by which I’m covered. But I’m also covered by a UnitedHealthcare plan, and he takes that. If there’s any residual amount left, the doctor’s office staff will supply me with the paperwork to file a claim directly with Medicare. I was given to understand that the reason for not taking Medicare was the slowness of the payment of claims.
But that has nothing to do with the current healthcare bill before Congress. Those who want to claim that healthcare furnished by that bill would be like Medicare are either ignorant or using scare tactics. People insured by virtue of passage of that bill would choose from plans offered by regular health insurers, not governmental entities. The government would have nothing to do with filing or paying claims. Thus, I fail to see the relevance of the Medicare red-herring in this discussion.
Mick
March 17th, 2010
2:33 pm
I’m pretty lucky, my health has been consistently good so aside from yearly check-ups and maintenance (colonoscopy), I’m not seeing doctors or need prescriptions. When I do go, it does seem like there are as many clerical people as doctors. Also, my primary care physician has four watiting rooms and bounces around between them. He is trying to cram in as many patients as possible, so if I don’t ask my questions during my alotted 15 mins of face time – too bad. I usually think of the most important question on the ride home..
Outhouse GoKart
March 17th, 2010
2:37 pm
Well there could always be less clerical etc persons at the Docs office then he/she would have less time for patients and you all could wait even longer.
Whats with this clerical Docs office complaint? I thought all Dems wanted everyone to have a job.
jewcowboy
March 17th, 2010
2:38 pm
I think the leaders in Isreal have lost their sense of perspective…they should be fighting to build on this bank:
http://www.allexotic-vacations.com/europe/CotedAzur/Images/Cote%20d%20Azur%201.jpg
Not this bank:
http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/HH_13-10.jpg
GoingBroke
March 17th, 2010
2:43 pm
Bosch.. couple of things.. put your bs meter away please. do a google search on doctors refusing medicare patients, etc. My experience with this is personal. It only appears if you know how to fraud the system, do you make any money at it. The rates are so low with Medicare that doctors cannot justify the expense.
Paul
March 17th, 2010
2:43 pm
Hey there, jewcowboy –
Doesn’t it kinda perpetuate stereotypes to talk about Jews and banks?
Bosch
March 17th, 2010
2:47 pm
Going Broke,
It’s YOUR personal experience – it’s not a national epidemic. It’s more wingnut scare tactics to make grandmas think they ain’t gonna get to go to the doctor anymore.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 17th, 2010
2:49 pm
sfd & Paul
Yeah, that was sort of my point. The doctor is having to hire 2 or 3 people to deal with insurance companies. I personally know a physical therapist who was telling me, that I’d be amazed how much time they spend (the therapist not the office staff) on the phone arguing with insurance companies about why a treatment is necessary, when they could be spending the time dealing with patients.
And I’m probably dating myself but I remember when the HMO was a new idea and it was going to be a be-all, end-all to controlling health care costs. Hasn’t really worked out has it?
He is trying to cram in as many patients as possible, so if I don’t ask my questions during my alotted 15 mins of face time – too bad.
Consider yourself lucky. About 10 years ago I had a $400k a year, specialist, who got happy feet it he was in the room with me over 2 minutes.
Bosch
March 17th, 2010
2:52 pm
“do a google search”
The google picture is cool today. It’s worth repeating.
jewcowboy
March 17th, 2010
2:53 pm
GoingBroke,
“The rates are so low with Medicare that doctors cannot justify the expense.”
Here are the rates if your are interested:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PFSLookup/
And the cpt codes are here if you need them:
http://www.physiciansofficeresource.com/cpt-full-list.asp
Doing a comparison for a few procedures, they do not seem that far off from the national average.
Paul
March 17th, 2010
2:53 pm
Bosch
It tis indeed, laddie -
jewcowboy
March 17th, 2010
2:58 pm
Hi Paul,
“Doesn’t it kinda perpetuate stereotypes to talk about Jews and banks?”
Shhh…don’t bring attention to the secret jewish cabal bent on world domination through the “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.”
Bosch
March 17th, 2010
3:03 pm
Paul,
I have a tatoo similar to that “G” in the google on the googly page. I like that “E” too, it looks kind of like an Irish Pac Man (or Pac Lady).
jewcowboy
March 17th, 2010
3:04 pm
Bosch,
” it looks kind of like an Irish Pac Man (or Pac Lady).”
Eating a nuclear particle?
Bosch
March 17th, 2010
3:07 pm
jewcowboy,
“Eating a nuclear particle?”
Yeah! Good call.
joe matarotz
March 17th, 2010
3:07 pm
By poll, 3 ot of Dentists prefer Crest.
By poll, 3 out of 4 moms prefer Jif.
So what? This isn’t about us. Would we pay any attention if 1 out of 2 Israelis disapproved of something we did?
As an autonomous nation, it is up to them to deal with their neighbors. Of course, we need to stop funding them – but that should have happened a long time ago.
Bosch
March 17th, 2010
3:10 pm
joe,
Well, it is kind of relevant to us in that we send them bajillions of our money every year. Other than that, good point.
stands for decibels
March 17th, 2010
3:12 pm
Anyone still trying to claim that a vote for HCR is a vote for federally funded abortions might want to read this.
“For those who know me, I have always respected and cherished the sanctity of human life,” [Representative Dale E.] Kildee said in his statement. “I spent six years studying to be a priest and was willing to devote my life to God. I came to Congress two years after the Hyde Amendment became law. And I have spent the last 34 years casting votes to protect the lives of the unborn.”
“I have stood up to many in my party to defend the right to life and have made no apologies for doing so,” he continued. “I now find myself disagreeing with some of the people and groups I have spent a lifetime working with. I have listened carefully to both sides, sought counsel from my priest, advice from family, friends and constituents and I have read the Senate abortion language more than a dozen times. I am convinced that the Senate language maintains the Hyde Amendment, which states that no federal money can be used for abortion.”
Kildee added that there were important reasons to support the measure. “We must not lose sight of what is at stake here — the lives of 31 million American children, adults, and seniors-who don’t have health insurance,” he said. “There is nothing more pro-life than protecting the lives of 31 million Americans.”
Amen.
godless heathen
March 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
“There is nothing more pro-life than protecting the lives of 31 million Americans.”
Horse squeeze. This bill doesn’t have a damn thing to do with protecting 31 million American lives.
jewcowboy
March 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
“By poll, 3 out of 4 moms prefer Jif.”
Why does the name “Jif” seem as if it is straight out of Mad Men?
Southern Comfort (متعة الجنوبي)
March 17th, 2010
3:16 pm
I’ve told y’all time and time again. There are two important polls: fishing and stripper. Other than that, they can mean anything you want.
For instance, I think it was Paul that mentioned 1/3 of doctors polled said they would quit. I guess someone else could interpret that to mean tht 2/3 of doctors would continue practicing medicine if this bill passes.
It’s the same with the West Bank. Polls can be stated, factually at that, to mean whatever you want them to say.
Y’all need to quit all this griping and go drink a beer. It’s 5′o clock somewhere!!!
Bosch
March 17th, 2010
3:17 pm
Horse squeeze?
jewcowboy
March 17th, 2010
3:19 pm
“Horse squeeze?”
Horse squeeze is the best when you put it over some cracked ice, a splash of soda and a lime wedge.
Reeefreshing!
Southern Comfort (متعة الجنوبي)
March 17th, 2010
3:21 pm
dB
I’ll take your abortion link and raise you one…
“South Carolina Legislators Reject Rape, Incest Abortion Ban”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/17/south-carolina-legislators-reject-rape-incest-abortion-ban/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Fpolitics+%2528Text+-+Politics%2529
Republican Rep. Wendy Nanney of Greenville disagreed. “Women do not have a right to take that life,” Nanney said. Pregnancies are “a life. It’s a precious gift. Maybe we don’t like how it was created and the circumstances in which it was created.”
Democrat Rep. Lester Branham, a retired Lake City pastor, urged legislators to discern the difference between a gift and a crime. “That act of impregnating that girl against her will is not a gift of God. It’s a crime. It’s a crime against her and a crime against all humanity in my opinion,” Branham said.
@@
March 17th, 2010
3:21 pm
Within the last three days, jay, you’ve covered our diminishing relationship with Israel three times, and our diminishing relationship with China once.
During his campaign, Obama said he would bring us all closer.
Closer to what is the question at hand.
stands for decibels
March 17th, 2010
3:28 pm
This bill doesn’t have a damn thing to do with protecting 31 million American lives.
Hey, don’t tell me. Tell that to the six-years-in-the-seminary guy. He’s obviously an imbecile.
stands for decibels
March 17th, 2010
3:30 pm
“Maybe we don’t like how it was created and the circumstances in which it was created.”
Go on, do tell… so, maybe you do? When it comes to impregnatin’, it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission?
What a sicko.
godless heathen
March 17th, 2010
3:50 pm
“Hey, don’t tell me. Tell that to the six-years-in-the-seminary guy. He’s obviously an imbecile.”
No, just a politician.
jefferson
March 17th, 2010
5:05 pm
I bet doctors and hospital won’t take NO medicare patients.
AMERICAN-ZIONIST SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP « Shoah
March 17th, 2010
5:36 pm
[...] poll, reported by Jay Bookman, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 49 percent of Americans believe that “Israel (should) be required to stop building new [...]
steve
March 17th, 2010
7:11 pm
i found this poll: http://www.livecitizen.com/2010/03/approve-israels-building-settlements/ and so far support for the settlements are not so popular, but that doesn’t stop Israel from continuing I guess.
U S Taxpayer
March 17th, 2010
11:52 pm
How did we get off the topic of Israel and on to Obama bashing? I want to stop giving money to a government who will pick your pocket with one hand and poke you in the eye with the other. Stop all aid to Israel.
common sense
March 18th, 2010
5:13 am
Just as it’s perfectly reasonable for one to have a negative view of an American administration while having nothing against American people (as many Canadians, British, Australians and a considerable number of Americans themselves felt when Bush Jr. was in office), so too is it perfectly reasonable for Americans to have a negative view of Netanyahu’s administration without being antisemitic.
Disliking the Israeli government does not necessarily make one a Jew hater. Anyone who tries to frame this argument otherwise is being disingenuous to an extreme.
No More Progressives!
March 18th, 2010
10:54 am
ISRAELI POLL: By a vote of 20 to 1, the Israelis confirmed that they find American meddling in their affairs repugnant. Send Bozo Joe back to Delaware, and Keep Queen Hildabeast out of Jerusalem.
Pointless Polling at Z-Word Blog
March 18th, 2010
2:13 pm
[...] poll on U.S. public attitudes toward Israeli settlements has gotten some attention in major media sources. No matter where you stand on the settlement issue, it’s too bad the poll is literally [...]
The Dish despairs… that Americans aren’t dishier about Israel « The Daily Dishwater
April 27th, 2010
2:24 am
[...] is determining whether Israel should permanently occupy the West Bank and all of Jerusalem. And we have that poll, from Rasmussen no less, an outfit whose sample would be likely to provide a pro-Netanyahu [...]