Overwhelming Majority Believe Israel is 'Justified' in Killing Terrorists
                           Before They Strike Again

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- By better than a 4 -1 ratio, Americans
support Israel's tough anti-terrorism strategy according to a new, bipartisan
poll released today by the America Middle East Information Network (AMEIN).
    "It's clear from this survey that the overwhelming majority of Americans
share the Israeli view that terrorism is never justified and should be
combated aggressively," said pollster Frank Luntz, of the Luntz Research
Companies, a firm that polls for Republicans. "And it's interesting that
Republicans and Democrats -- who don't agree on much -- agree on this: In the
current spate of violence, Israel is the victim, not the perpetrator."
    "This poll shows clearly that Americans, like Israelis, think terrorists
should be regarded as soldiers waging war against civilians -- and soldiers in
a war face lethal force," said Jefrey Pollock of the Global Strategy Group, a
firm that polls for Democrats. "Also revealing is the fact that most Americans
are viewing the Israelis as victims -- victims who have the right to use
whatever means are necessary to defend themselves."
    According to the poll, 73% of Americans believe that Israel is "justified"
in "attempting to kill" a terrorist when "Israel has proof that a terrorist is
planning a suicide bomb or other act of terrorism that is likely to result in
the deaths of Israelis."  Only16% of respondents said Israel is not justified
in taking such action.  In addition, 70% of Americans believe Israelis are
"justified" in "attempting to kill" an individual when they have proof that
individual had "carried out a terrorist act that killed Israelis and plans to
strike again." Only 18% said that is not justified.
    The poll also found that most Americans believe that terrorism is on the
rise, and that Israelis are the most frequent victims.  In addition, by almost
a 4 - 1 margin, (42% to 11%), Americans are more sympathetic with the Israeli
side than with the Palestinian Arab side. This finding tracks with findings
from a Gallup survey conducted earlier this month.
    The phone poll of 804 respondents was conducted August 17 -19 by a
bipartisan team of veteran researchers from Luntz Research Companies and the
Global Strategy Group. It carries a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.

    AMEIN is a network of policy practitioners, community leaders and others
committed to strengthening American support and resolve for progress toward a
Middle East in which Jews, Arabs and Christians alike will live, work and
worship in security and peace.

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