Gazans don't deserve to get water from Israel, or do they?

Another study by The Israel Project (TIP, it was briefly mentioned in my Friday column) gives me an opportunity to delve, yet again, into the complicated issue of America's public opinion toward Israel. The study was conducted by Stan Greenberg of Greenberg-Quinlan-Rosner and Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies. Bottom line: A marked increase is evident in Democrats' support of Israel. But there's much more to it than just that.

1.
Support has increased among Democrats by six points (35 percent in January, 41 percent in June), but decreased among Republicans (three points) and Independents (five points). The question was: thinking about the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in the Middle East, please tell me whether, in general, you consider yourself to be a supporter of Israel/Palestinians. Over all, support for Israel remains steady from the last poll, 49 percent now, 50 percent in January. But there has been a downward trend since the August 2006 record, 56 percent.

2.
"American voters have been paying close attention to recent events in the Middle East and they specifically mention the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip as the main news item". Sixty-five heard about events and followed them, 35 percent didn't. "Voters understand that the conflict has been between two Palestinian factions, and they label it as a 'civil war' for control of the land and the government". The words they use to describe it: 'chaotic,' 'total unrest,' 'escalating' and 'worrisome.'

3.
But the voters don't want America to be too involved in this worrisome event. They prefer for Israel and international organizations to do the necessary work. What measures should be taken by the administration, the survey asks, and the answer is:
35% percent: Support Israel's right to use military actions.
25 percent: Support working with the International community to isolate Hamas.
15 percent: Support letting humanitarian organizations provide food and medical help.
13 percent: Say no action should be taken.
11 percent: Encourage Israel to stop providing utilities and supplies.
9 percent: Encourage cooperation with the Hamas government in Gaza.
Generally speaking, GOP voters will support military actions by Israel, while Democrats will be more receptive to working with Hamas (14 percent compared to 6 percent of Republicans). Democrats, tired of Iraq, I guess, are also more inclined to say that the US should do nothing (19 percent Democrats, 7 p Republicans).

4.
Asked what measures Israel should take, American voters tended to split between two options: force (31 percent) and working with the international community (29 percent). They are also split between providing more humanitarian help (15 percent) and cutting-off utilities (19 percent). Strong supporters of Israel will usually go for force (55 percent, compared to 28 percent for international cooperation and 26 percent for cutting off utilities).

5.
But here's the most interesting phenomenon:
When the question of providing utilities is asked separately, and the interviewees are given two options ("Despite the fact that Hamas wants to destroy Israel, Israel still has a humanitarian obligation to continue to provide Gaza with electricity and water" or "Because Hamas wants to destroy Israel, Hamas should be forced to get electricity and water from Egypt, or on their own, unless they recognize Israel's right to exist"), most Republicans (64 percent), Independents (56 percent) and Democrats (54 percent) think that Hamas should be on its own.

However, if the same question is asked in a different manner - "do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Despite the fact that Hamas wants to destroy Israel, Israel still has a humanitarian obligation to continue to provide Gaza with electricity and water" - Republicans tend to disagree (55 percent), Democrats to agree (59 percent).

Among Israel strong supporters, the second version will provide for only a small majority of people supporting the option of severing all ties (53 percent to 42 percent).