Most Israelis oppose Iran strike without US - survey

The Brookings Institution finds that only 38% believe the US will give diplomatic backing to a unilateral attack.

1 March 12 10:56, Ran Dagoni, Washington

Only 19% of Israelis support a unilateral attack on Iran's nuclear facilities without US support, according to the 2012 Israel Public Opinion Survey by the Washington DC-based Brookings Institution.

42% of respondents support an Israeli attack against Iran if Israel has US support. 32% oppose an Israeli strike with or without US support, and 30% believe that an Israeli attack will not damage Iran's nuclear program, or could even lead to its acceleration.

The Dahaf Institute conducted the poll among 500 Israelis between February 22 and February 26..

The poll found that only 38% of respondents believe that the US will give Israel diplomatic support if Israel attacks Iran unilaterally, and 27% believe that the US will join an Israeli attack on Iran even if Israel launches it without approval from Washington.

68% of the respondents said that an Israeli attack on Iran would cause Hizbullah to launch a reprisal attack on Israel.

The poll indicates a change in Israeli attitudes towards US President Barack Obama. Respondents were asked for their preferences between Obama and the four Republican candidates in the presidential primaries. Obama beats all four candidates: Obama beats Rick Santorum 34% to 21%; he beats Newt Gingrich 31% to 27%; and he beats Mitt Romney 32% to 29%.

24% of Israelis support the libertarian Ron Paul, who has called for an end to US aid to Israel, and is not considered a supporter of Israel. Obama received the support of 34% of the respondents in a pairing against Paul.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 1, 2012

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