Most Americans favor ME neutrality

A new poll shows there is no love affair between Americans and Israel, as most US citizens favor a neutral stance in the Middle East conflict.

According to a study conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, 66% of Americans say they want the US to maintain a more evenhanded approach toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Moreover, nearly 62% say they oppose Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank.

The survey, released on Monday, also shows that less than one in five Americans would support a US war on Iran.

“A clear majority of Americans (56%) say that if Israel were to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iran were to retaliate against Israel, and the two were to go to war, the United States should not bring its military forces into the war on the side of Israel and against Iran,” the results show.

The poll reflects a strong desire by the American public for Washington to address its own internal issues.

Their answers also make clear that most Americans are not deeply committed to Israel in any meaningful way.

The findings of the study clearly contradict the US government’s overall policy towards Israel.

The unusual US-Israeli partnership — which began after Washington’s backing for the creation of the so-called ‘Jewish homeland’ in 1948 — has made Israel dependent on the United States for its economic and military survival.

The main expression of support for Israel has been in foreign aid, with Tel Aviv being the largest recipient of US funds from 1976 to 2004.

Many in the United States have long been questioning the levels of aid and general commitment to Israel over the past four decades.