Poll Shows Most Americans Are Opposed to the U.S. Providing Nuclear Reactors to Israel and Egypt

Americans by an overwhelming majority are opposed to the United States providing either Egypt or Israel with nuclear reactors, according to the latest Harris poll. The poll showed that providing the reactors for Egypt was opposed by 69-17 percent while providing reactors to Israel was opposed by 66-21 percent. Two-thirds of the public expressed fear that both countries would end up by producing atomic bombs with the nuclear capability furnished by the U.S., according to Louis Harris, whose organization conducted the poll.

The poll also showed that by 73-13 percent, Americans believe that it was wrong for former President Nixon to offer the reactors without first getting Congressional approval. Although most Americans have supported U.S. efforts in the Mideast, the poll showed that by a percentage of 75-12 Americans agree that “if the price of a settlement of the Middle East war is to run the risk of atomic warfare, then that settlement is not worthwhile.” At the same time, a majority of the public–54-25 percent–said it was better for a nation like Egypt to get nuclear capability from the U.S. than to receive it from the Soviet Union.