Support for Arabs plummets in America, opinion poll finds

Ha'aretz ^ | Dec. 26, 2001 | Nitzan Horowitz

[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.

[Alouette]

True, but is this in the interests of America or Israel?

You have this weird notion that America's interests and Israel's interests are in conflict. They are not. America's interests and Muslims' interests are what is in conflict. That's what has your burqa in a twist.

[Jmouse007]

"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,"

************************************************************

Mr. Zogby, you can work from now until Hell freezes over and it will not make a difference. Contrary to popular belief, Islam is NOT "a religion of peace". Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm Plainly states in the koran that EVERYONE who does not believe in it's false god "allah" or in it's false prophet mohammed are "INFIDELS".

Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm offers infidels one of three, count them, THREE CHOICES:

1) Convert to Islam, voluntarily or by force.

2) Become a SLAVE, subjugated by force to the adherents of Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm and subject to wonderful law of Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm.

If you reject choices number one or two above, Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm provides you with one more option; choice #3.

3) You can choose to die for your faith and for rejecting Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm.

Mr Zogby, (and everyone else trying to spin the truth regarding Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm) We have REJECTED the three choices offered to us by Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm and have chosen another course of action. I call it CHOICE #4

4) To quote Paul McCartney we will "FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN FREEDOM!"

Dr. S

[Michael2001]

"As a Christian I found (find) their tactics disgusting. I think FR has been inflitrated, particularly the last few weeks, with a number of Pan Arab Islamics including "palestinians" who have made common cause with the aryan bunch. These have come on this site with their baiting tactics and zionist conspiracy tactics to sow divisions among Jews and Christians especially. Raimondo is one of their priests as well lighting his zionist fires wherever and whenever he can."

I have for a while believed that there are two or three people on here (or one person with two or three screen names) who pretend to be pro-Israel for the sole reason of discrediting Israel. Of course I could just be paranoid...

[Lent]

Who are they?

[Jmouse007]

"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,"

************************************************************

Mr. Zogby, you can work from now until Hell freezes over and it will not make a difference. Contrary to popular belief, Islam is NOT "a religion of peace". Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm Plainly states in the koran that EVERYONE who does not believe in it's false god "allah" or in it's false prophet mohammed are "INFIDELS".

Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm offers infidels one of three, count them, THREE CHOICES:

1) Convert to Islam, voluntarily or by force.

2) Become a SLAVE, subjugated by force to the adherents of Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm and subject to wonderful law of Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm.

If you reject choices number one or two above, Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm provides you with one more option; choice #3.

3) You can choose to die for your faith and for rejecting Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm.

Mr. Zogby, (and everyone else trying to spin the truth regarding Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm) The events of September 11th and following have taught us all we need to know about the Arabs (where are the millions of Arabs expressing their sorrow over the murder of Christians in Indonesia? Where is the Arab outcry over the persecution of Christians and Jews in Saudi Arabia and other Arab/Islamic states? Where are the millions of Arabs and followers of Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm expressing their support for America and their outrage over the attacks on America? Answer: THERY ARE NON-EXISTENT BECAUSE THEY SUPPORT WHAT HAS BEE N AND IS BEING DONE IN THE NAME OF Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm.

Sir, we have REJECTED the three choices offered to us by Islam "The Religion of Peace"tm and have instead chosen another course of action. I call it CHOICE #4

4) To quote Paul McCartney we will "FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN FREEDOM!"

Dr. S

[Godel]

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

Why the hell do we allow foreigners to lobby and influence our sovereign government?

Throw these creeps out of the country. They've shown they're true allegiance lies with the Arab states, not with America.

[Michael2001]

You say that prior to 9/11 your wife was very fond of the Middle-Eastern Arab/Muslim culture. I don't understand how anyone, especially a woman, could be fond of a culture that degrades women in such a way. If you don't mind me asking, how did she come to have such an affinity for it? Some warped liberal teachings of the culture when in college?

[Stultis]

The Arab heads of state are utterly obtuse.
Make peace!
Crack down on the radicals!
End the mindless propaganda!

Just in case they didn't hear you the first time.

[FITZ]

If Israel did, it would leave us alone and stop trying to get us to fight its war for them.

It might have been that way before Sept 11 since we were content to ignore previous attacks on the WTC in 1993 and all the other terrorist acts against the US. On Sept 11, Americans were attacked by Arabs on US soil and that makes it our war now.

[Michael2001]

I'd rather not say until I am certain, or at least certain beyond a reasonable doubt.

Regardless, I think it is important to remember that not everyone you meet on the internet is who they say they are, and to take everything you read with a grain of salt. I've been online for less than a year, and I've had to remind myself of that a number of times.

[Michael2001]

"Not to get off topic, but a talk show caller said that one of the groups fighting the hardest to keep our immigration open like it is is the ADL. My question is why?"

Because they're stupid?

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for this post!

Time for a wakeup call Mr Zogby, who is pro Arafatty, pro Goron and anti President Bush and Israel. The prop spin you and your super rich Arabs have gotten by with the past two decades is over.

When this piece of mass murdering super Rich Saudi scum ordered the mass murder of thousands of innocent Americans on 9/11, a lot of Americans have awaken to the real evil in this world:

Mr. Zogby, time to inform your fellow Arabs who hate America/Americans and the super Rich Saudis, they ain't seen nothing yet. If there is another act of mass violence against innocent Americans ordered by this piece of camel offal, that they have not seen anything re our reaction towards mass murdering Arabic camel offal like this piece:

Oh yeah, you might pass the word to the Super Rich Saudis it might be time for them to execute Sodom, Arafatty, the leaders of Islamic fanatics in Saudi Araba, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Lybia and ?. Because if they don't cleanse the earth of these scum, it will be done by us!

Pass the word, Mr Zogby to the super Rich Saudis, that is time to dispose of this piece of garbage. If you don't, we will! It will get really dicey and messy for those who support these mass murderers!

[harrowup]

If any of these folks belong to JDL, they are not helping Israel...they are solidifying anti-Semitism and bigotry and hate...no different than the Muslim fanatics.

[monkeyshine]

Yes. (and thank you for not mentioning that I spelled propaganda incorrectly)