WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) responded to the release Wednesday July 15, of a Pew Research Center poll on the partisan gap in Israel-Palestinian sympathies.
The Pew poll found that among conservative and moderate Republicans, sympathy for Israel was at 77% and 64%. Among moderate and liberal Democrats, that sympathy was at 48% and 39%.
RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said:
For years, public opinion polls have documented the large gap in support for Israel between Republicans and Democrats, with Republicans being far more supportive of Israel. This poll shows a gap of 27 points. At the very moment that Israel is under attack, with over 1000 rockets launched against her in the last 8 days, fewer than half of the Democrats polled say they have more sympathy for Israel than for the Palestinians.
It is a sad and sobering confirmation of the Democrat Party’s shift over time away from support of Israel, especially at its grassroots. If support for Israel ceases to be bipartisan, the U.S.-Israel relationship – which is of so much benefit to both countries – will suffer.
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Preceding provided by Republican Jewish Committee
I’m not at all surprised by these findings. American policy so far has been to pressure Israel into making concessions, and not demanding anything from the Palestians. Not even that they recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State.