Most Americans think Palestinians must recognize Israel's right to exist

Eighty-one percent of American voters agree that Palestinian leaders must recognize Israel's right to exist as part of a Middle East peace agreement, according to a new survey by U.S. polling company Rasmussen Reports published Tuesday.

The national telephone survey found that just seven percent disagree that recognition of Israel should be a requirement for peace, while 12 percent are not sure.

But only 27 percent believe it is somewhat likely that Palestinian leaders will agree to recognize Israel's right to exist, the poll found.

There is less support from American voters for requiring Israel to accept the creation of a Palestinian state. Fifty-seven percent of voters say Israel should be required to do so as part of a regional peace agreement, and 20 percent oppose such a requirement.

Forty-eight percent of respondents to the Rasmussen poll said U.S. President Barack Obama's Middle Eastern policy is about right, but 35% said he is not supportive enough of Israel and 10% said he is too supportive.

Obama has called on Israel and the Palestinians to acknowledge each other's existence, while also pushing Israel to freeze settlement construction in the West Bank.

Following Obama's June 4 speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, 32% of American voters now think that relationship will improve in the next year, while 28% believe it will get worse, according to the poll.

Forty-nine percent of respondents said the United States should help Israel if it decides to attack Iran over the latter's nuclear weapon facilities.