Desperado, Roudy, PROTECTIONIST, BLEIPRIESTER, FLACALTENN, et al,
In keeping with the theme of this thread, A Dose of Truth, I thought that it might be important to remember that the polls are not the only indicator of support.
(COMMENT)
Certainly the general population of respondents would rather see peace and security in the Middle East, further violence, growing hostilities and chaos. And for most Americans, the concern is further entanglements in a region and for a people that are more accustom to the ravages of violence and terrorism --- and would readily turn against and bite the hand that feeds them in their effect to secure peace.
I think it is safe to say that Americans find US Foreign Policy a bit fickled; particularly in regards to national interests which appear not to evolve with the developing situations and, especially as regards one's obligations and interests. There is a difference in the perception of Americans and the Foreign Policy of Government. A very recent
(fresh off the press sort-a-speak) example of what Americans perception thinks is found in the case of Sokolow v. PLO, 04-cv-00397, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
Sokolow, et al 'vs' Palestine Liberation Organization et al
[SDNY] The 2004 lawsuit by victims of bombings in Israel seeks up to $3 billion in damages from attacks between January 2001 and February 2004 by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In Sept 2008 U.S. District Judge George Daniels rejected the PLO's argument that the attacks were acts of war rather than terrorism.
In this compensation claim under the anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), in which the PLO/PA was seen to provide material support and sponsorship to the various terrorists activities in various attacks; that killed American Citizens. In making this award, I don't think that the US Jury considered the government formed by the PLO/PA to be any less than an elaborate terrorist organization. And clearly the Jury considered the viability and stability of the PLO/PA to be of less importance than US Foreign Policy which has been ineffective for more than a decade; even at the cost of several billion dollars..
I would not look at the raw Poll Data and assume the logical conclusion is to interpret it as a decline in support for Israel. Americans know, from several cases, that the Palestinian Authority employs Fatah Activists involved in terrorism and suicide attacks (See example: Case 1:04-cv-00397-GBD-RLE
Document 693-21 Filed 12/30/14 Page 1 of 33). And, with the very rare exception, if you were to present an American with this kind of information, they would come to a similar conclusion: The PLO/PA materially supports other terrorist organizations and finances terrorist activities. And is you were to ask, a sample population of American if they would support the PLO/PA over the IDF/Israel, the result would be overwhelmingly in favor of the IDF/Israel. As a general rule (true much more ofter than not) --- Americans are less likely to support governments or activities and organizations that support terrorism. Americans
(as opposed to a unsuccessful foreign policy effort) do not care one wit if another terrorist organizations falls; let alone one that is guilty of supporting terrorism 21st Century that has killed Americans. If the West Bank and/or Gaza collapses into chaos and the Arab Palestinian --- they wouldn't care in the numbers that you suggest.
Most Respectfully,
R