Israelis Still Love Obama: Poll

The recent diplomatic kerfluffle over East Jerusalem hasn’t hurt President Obama at all with Israelis; in a new Haaretz-Dialog poll, a “sweeping majority” say they still believe he is “fair and friendly” to Israel. Most don’t believe politicians who try to paint Obama as anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, or anti-Benjamin Netanyahu. The poll was conducted Tuesday and Wednesday, amid the media hubbub over the construction fight.

But the issue seemed to have little effect on either Obama or Netanyahu—though most say they think the PM has handled the situation badly, his overall approval numbers have remained constant. Almost half of poll respondents say Israel should continue with its building plan, despite US objections, while 41% say the country should yield to US and Palestinian demands and halt construction.