New Poll Finds Wide Support for Obama in Israel

A new public opinion survey finds that 55% of the Israeli public believes that U.S. President Barack Obama is “honest and trustworthy,” and 52% agree that he will “strengthen America’s standing in the world.”  A total of 41% of residents of Israel gave him a favorable rating in the New America Foundation poll.

More from this poll just released in Washington this morning:

Despite repeated media reports touting a “4 percent Obama approval rating” and arguments that the United States has lost the Israeli public’s support for renewed peace efforts, Israelis actually demonstrate a much more supportive and nuanced view of President Obama and a comprehensive peace agreement. It also shows that Prime Minister Netanyahu has considerable scope for movement in making peace, with a 69% approval rate on handling security and 59% support for any agreement he reaches with Israel’s enemies.

Just as importantly, the survey confirms that Israelis overwhelmingly view the United States as Israel’s strongest and irreplaceably ally. Related to this, a narrow majority of Israelis would support a US presented final status agreement if accepted by their own Prime Minister, but the public remains evenly split at 48% over whether to oppose Netanyahu should he reject an American plan to end the conflict, despite a strong majority expressing support in the his security credentials.

As the Obama Administration continues its efforts to assert American leadership to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it is very clear that it does so from a position of strength when seen through the prism of Israeli public opinion, which remains complex and nuanced. This survey shows there are real opportunities for the President and his team to speak directly and convincingly to the Israeli people.

From reading these results, it sounds like many members of the Israeli public are as weary about the lack of progress on peace as are Americans – and embarrassed to be represented in the international media by hate-spewing politicians on the far right.

Speaking of whom, some of those hawkish, occupation-loving politicos were out in force last night in West Jerusalem, Israel, along with about 10,000 demonstrating settlers who made the trek west from the occupied West Bank into Israel. They massed in Paris Square, in front of the home of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who invited the leaders in for a two-hour meeting.

From AP television: