Only one-third of Americans say the Bush administration should be doing more to end the Gaza conflict than it already is doing, according to a new Gallup Poll. The polling company says that international pressure on the United States to push Israel into an immediate cease fire appears not to have had great effect on the American populace.
In polling conducted immediately after Israeli counter-terror fire killed dozens in a United Nations-run school, 33 percent of Americans said the Bush administration should expand its role in ending the Gaza conflict while 22 thought it should pull back. However, nearly a third – 30 percent -- said the administration is already doing the right amount to resolve the conflict. “Thus, a combined 52 percent do not push for more involvement,” Gallup concluded.
Half of self-described "liberals" (50 percent) in the latest survey want the Bush administration to do more to resolve the conflict in Gaza. That compares with only 32 percent of "moderates" and 24 percent of "conservatives."
“Previous Gallup polling has shown liberals to be much less sympathetic than conservatives to the Israelis in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute,” the pollsters explained. “Thus, it is likely that liberals favor an immediate cessation of the Gaza hostilities, even if that doesn't serve Israel's security interests.”
The United States abstained in a recent Security Council vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.