Poll: American public increasingly sympathetic to Israel

The 64 percent figure matched the previous record high from 1991, during the first Gulf War. At that time, though, only 7 percent of Americans sympathized more with the Palestinians.

Naturally, Republicans (78 percent) were much more likely to sympathize with Israel than Democrats (55 percent), according to the poll. Palestinians receive the highest sympathy from Democrats, liberals, and postgraduates. But even among these groups, support tops off at 24 percent.

Sympathy for Israel has trended upwards, towards its 1991 level, since 9/11. During that period, it increased by four points among Democratis and 18 points among Republicans.