Gallup: Americans Back Israelis, But Half Say They Have Gone Too Far

By: E&P Staff A new Gallup Poll released today shows that, as of last weekend, Americans remained firmly in Israel's corner in the current Middle East conflict, and blame Hezbollah for instigating it -- but exactly half feel that Israeli attacks have gone too far.

The July 21-23 poll found only 15% of Americans blaming Israel a great deal for the current attacks in Israel and Lebanon, compared with 53% assigning a great deal of blame to Hezbollah. Some 83% say Israel's military actions are justified to some degree, while 7% say they are not justified.

But half say Israel's actions, though justified, have gone too far. "As a result," Gallup explains, "overall approval of Israel's actions in this conflict is somewhat subdued at 50%, while 38% disapprove and 12% have no opinion."

Sixty-five percent of Americans favor a neutral U.S. position in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.. Thirty-one percent say the United States should take Israel's side, while less than 1% believes the United States should side with Hezbollah.

Only 40% of Americans currently favor the idea of an expanded Israeli invasion of Lebanon, while slightly more (47%) oppose it. Almost half worry that the U.S. military will get drawn into the conflict.

Gallup polled 1,005 adults last Friday to Sunday.