Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) Survey on the Situation in the Middle East

Rasmussen (R) Poll on the Situation in the Middle East

Who is more to blame for the escalating military conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians – Israel or the Palestinians? 

• Palestinians 50%
• Israel 12%
• Not sure 38%
  

Should the United States help defend Israel, help defend the Palestinians, or stay out of the Middle East conflict entirely? 

• Help defend Israel 43%
• Help defend the Palestinians 2%
  
• Stay out of Middle East conflict entirely 47%

Has the recent change of government in Egypt made Israel more safe or less safe, or has it had no impact? 

• More safe 5%
  
• Less safe 45%
• No impact 23%
• Not sure 26%
  

Generally speaking, is the United States too supportive or not supportive enough of Israel? Or is America's support for Israel just about right?

• Too supportive 16%
• Not supportive enough 31%
• Support just about right 37%

Survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted November 18-19, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. 

Inside the numbers:

Republicans (75%) are far more likely than Democrats (38%) and voters not affiliated with either of the major parties (40%) to blame the Palestinians for the increasingly violent situation in Gaza.

While 57% of Republicans feel America is not supportive enough of Israel, 51% of Democrats view the current level of support as about right. Unaffiliated voters are more narrowly divided. 

Male voters and those over 40 are more supportive of Israel than female voters and those 18 to 39.

Seventy percent (70%) of GOP voters believe the United States should help defend Israel. Sixty-two percent (62%) of Democrats and 52% of unaffiliated voters think the United States should stay out of the Middle East conflict.

Seventy-six percent (76%) of voters say they have followed recent news stories about Israel, including 38% who have been following very closely.