WASHINGTON (JTA) — Americans’ favorability ratings for Israel continue to climb and it remains by far the most positively reviewed Middle Eastern country, according to a Gallup poll.
In polling between Feb. 6 and Feb. 9 of Americans 18 and older, Israel got a 72 percent favorability rating, up from 66 percent last year, according to results released on Tuesday.
The next highest favorability ratings went to Egypt, with 45 percent and then Saudi Arabia, at 35 percent.
The Palestinian Authority tied for fifth place with Libya, at 19 percent.
Lowest rated was Iran at 12 percent, up from 10 percent last year, a rise that was within the 4 percentage point margin of error.
The polling showed that older Americans are more likely to score Israel high: For respondents aged 18-34, Israel scored 64 percent; for those aged 35-54, Israel scored 72 percent and for those above age 55, Israel came in at 81 percent.
Gallup polled a random sample of 1,023 Americans 18 and older by phone.
