Most Americans support Palestinian state

A majority of US citizens support the creation of an independent Palestinian state, and more think Al-Quds (Jerusalem) should be a shared city.

According to an opinion poll of the Center for Policy Analysis on Palestine that was conducted by the Zogby International polling and market research firm, 60.7 percent of those surveyed agreed that an annual payment of $3.2 billion in US aid to Israel should be suspended until progress is made in the Middle East peace process.

The Kuwaiti news agency, KUNA, said the survey showed that almost 54 percent thought there should be an independent Palestinian state and 66.8 percent thought the holy city of Jerusalem should be shared by Palestinians and Israelis alike.

The polled persons were given two choices including the idea of coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis and Israel's claim that the city is its exclusive capital.

Only 14.7 percent endorsed the Israeli position and another 18.5 percent were not sure how to answer.

KUNA quoted Hisham Sharabi, chairman of the center and professor-emeritus at George Washington University, as saying the results of the poll are another example of the gap between the US administration and congress and the American people.

Sharabi said the US administration, in dealing with the peace process, has ceased to act as arbitrator or sponsor, to become an advisor or partner of Israel.

He added that the mass media is distorting recent history and fails to distinguish between the Islamic faith and fanaticism.