Posted on 12/26/2001 9:21:53 AM PST by Alouette
Levels of support among Americans for moderate Arab states and Washington's Arab allies have dropped to an all-time low, according to new survey by Zogby International. Arab American groups have called the results "shocking," saying that the figures show a dramatic shift in Americans' attitude toward the Arab world.
Only 10 percent of Americans view the Palestinian Authority favorably, compared to a huge 72 percent that are totally unsympathetic toward the PA, according to a recent comprehensive poll in the U.S. on Washington's attitude toward the Middle East and the Israeli-Arab conflict.
The lowest ever level of support was recorded for Egpyt and Saudi Arabia. Only 24 percent of those asked saw Saudi Arabia in a positive light, while 58 percent held negative views about the kingdom.
Israel, in complete contrast, prompted the opposite response, with 59 percent of Americans expressing positive opinions on Israel, compared to 28 percent who held negative views.
A closer look at the Zogby poll on the Middle East shows that there has been little change in U.S. attitude toward Israel since the start of the Oslo peace process: 61 percent support in 1993 compared to 59 percent today. Following the September 11 attacks, the October poll recorded a 68 percent support rate for Israel, which has since declined, returning to its 60 percent average. The percentage of those who view Israel negatively, however, has risen since October from 14 percent to the current 28 percent.
American public opinion toward the Arab world has undergone a complete turnabout: In 1993, some 64 percent of respondents expressed a favorable opinion of Egypt, compared to just 38 percent today. The months of October and November saw the sharpest drop. Saudia Arabia has never won many hearts and minds in the U.S., but support has plummeted from 56 percent at the start of 2001 to just 24 percent currently.
The respondents were given a list of countries and asked which they considered to be good or bad allies of the U.S. Some 52 percent responded that Israel was a very good or generally good ally of Washington, with just 28 percent giving the same answer for Egypt and 22 percent for Saudia Arabia.
In October, respondents explained their negative attitude to the Arab states because of their "relations with terrorists," that "one can't know what their position is," and because "they can't be trusted."
There has not however been a significant change in the American public's attitude toward the Israeli-Arab conflict since the September attacks, with 61 percent of respondents saying that the Israelis and Palestinians were equally to blame. There was however a slight fall in the percentage of those who see Israel as solely responsible for the conflict, dropping from 6 percent three years ago to just 4 percent currently. The number of respondents who believe the Palestinians are to blame rose more sharply from 9 percent in 1998, to 24 percent today.
The Arab lobby in Washington is blaming the "anti-Arab propaganda campaign" that has been waged since the September 11 attacks for the shift in attitude.
James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute and brother of the editor of the survey, John Zogby, said that "what the results show is that a tremendous task confronts those who value the relationship and the pursuit of Middle East peace ... The downward slide can be arrested and reversed, but it will require a concerted effort."
Zogby blamed a "steady diet of anti-Arab information" for the swing in public opinion, saying that "those who are seeking to disrupt and discredit the relationship are working overtime."
"Work must be done and it should begin before more damage occurs," he stressed.
I guess the Pres will have to take in some muslim boarders at the White House.
Like the news.
ML/NJ
Yes, there's nothing like the hi-jacked 767 diet, followed by arrogant Saudi princes and the lack of muslim outrage over terrorist attacks. You lose weight quickly when a terrorist muslim comes around. And it's all from people calling themselves muslim. Why can't the idiots understand that and clean up their own house?
They really ARE stupid, aren't they?
BTTT
There's the problem. Zogby shows he's just a lefty concerned with "representation" of and "perception" about other nations, rather than facts. I can't explain Egypt, but as for Saudi Arabia, is the "anti-Arab" information reasoned analysis and revealing of facts about their education system, their real beliefs, suppression of women and religion, etc. etc.? I had thought Zogby was more reasoned (relatively). Shows himself just to be another left-reactionary playing a kind of "race card." His statements mean, in other words, Americans are dupes and stupid. It's all a language game with them. Any statement about any country is a threat to all and must be countered with insults and insinuations about conspiracies. Now, according to Zogby, the conspiracies are working "overtime." He's delusional.
Actually the average American is more informed about the mid-east than any "western" people I've met. Note that "61 percent of respondents saying that the Israelis and Palestinians were equally to blame", certainly a snetiment one doesn't find much at FR. :)
What "anti-Arab info is this person referring to? The Muslims ARE intolerant, ARE extremists, ARE anti-American. I saw a 60 Minutes segment where university students in Kuwait (not uneducated hicks, and in a country WE liberated from a brother Arab/Muslim aggressor, one where we should have the strongest support) comdemn the US, saying that the reason that we Americans believe the way we do is because "the Jews control the US media." That has to be the most ignorant statement in the history of the world. Where do they get their "untainted" news...Al Jizzerra??? (LOL) So, anti-US hatred is widespread in the Muslim world, and that based upon the most biased, hate-filled propaganda that man has ever seen. I'll gladly listen to any info to the contrary, but I feel at this point that there is little to counter what most Americans have seen up to this point: anti-Americanism, supposedly based on our support of Israel, just because we will not assist them in pushing Israel into the sea. You Muslims are going to have to get used to living with the fact that Israel will always exist, and will never be destroyed. Failure to do so will only delay peace. Trying to push the West around will pay no dividends and will only cause you loss and pain. Get that into your thick, rag-wrapped heads!!!
This from the two foremost Palestinian lobbyists in the USA. I guess it has something to do with their people killing thousands and the dispicable support of those murderous actions.
Nah, the Arabs think it is a conspiracy.
Stay well - stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
With a little more time you and the other JDL shills will manage to turn it around.
No, it's the resounding silence from the Arab community, here and abroad, condemning OBL and like-minded terrorists. If I had my way, all Mid-Eastern non-citizens would be kicked out of the USA (& maybe even some so-called citizens). Is that a PC attitude - no. Do I care - H*LL no.
I'm all for honest immigrants who appreciate attaining freedom and working hard. My ancestors came to America from Germany in the early 1700's. But since the liberal PC crowd infected our government - read that as communist DemoRATS - we have allowed foreigners into this country who have used our freedoms to protect them in their fight to ruin America.
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