A new US poll found that a full 34% of Americans support a one-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, by which all of Israel’s territory would become a single state with equal rights for all citizens.
The poll, held by the Saban Forum, noted a 10% increase in support for the one-state solution from the previous year, reports Yedioth Aharonoth. By contrast, 39% supported the two-state solution in a figure that stayed constant from previous years.
It remains unclear from the poll question if the plan respondents supported would offer Arab residents of Judea, Samaria and Gaza citizenship, although it would appear to be a clear show of support for Israeli annexation of the areas.
There has been a push in Israel to annex Judea and Samaria despite the large Arab population there, with critics saying the influx of Arab citizens if they were offered citizenship could threaten Israel’s demographic balance and Jewish nature.
Another plan that has been gaining momentum in Israel is to create a Palestinian state in Jordan, with Jordanian-Palestinian activist Mudar Zahran saying such a development is inevitable.
The Saban Forum poll also found that one in six Americans (just over 15%) view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a national concern for America.
As far as which side to support, the poll results left no doubts: 31% would like the US to favor Israel in the conflict, whereas only 4% thought it should favor the Palestinian Arabs.
That position of support was echoed by the US Congress, which on Wednesday voted unanimously to pass legislation making Israel a “major strategic partner” of America, which would greatly expand cooperation in a bevy of fields. The bill now is waiting for US President Barack Obama’s signature.
Obama has not shown as friendly position on Israel, blocking a routine transfer of Hellfire missiles during Operation Protective Edge and ordering more stringent supervision of future shipments.
Likewise, reports indicate the US is weighing sanctions against Israel as a punitive measure on Jewish construction in Israel’s Biblical heartland, namely eastern Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.
