Israel sixth favorite country for Americans: survey

JERUSALEM  — Israel is the sixth favorite country of American citizens, a survey found.

The Jewish state was viewed favorably by 61 percent of American surveyed in early November, according to a Pew Research Center survey released this week. Israel is sixth behind Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and Brazil.

Some 26 percent of Americans view Israel unfavorably however. Some 81 percent of Americans viewed Canada favorably and 9 percent unfavorably, by contrast.

Saudi Arabia was at the bottom of the list of 12 countries that are U.S allies with 27 percent of Americans viewing the country favorably, and 57 percent unfavorably.

Meanwhile, more Republicans than Democrats like Israel with 74 percent of Republicans viewing Israel favorably to 55 percent of Democrats.

The survey was part of a larger survey on “America’s place in the world.” Some 2003 adults living in the United States were randomly surveyed, half on landline telephones and half on cell phones with a percentage of error of plus or minus 2.5 percent.