A TIME Survey: U.S. and Israel

Essential to any Middle East peace deal is U.S. support, or lack of support, for Israel and possible American willingness to guarantee a settlement. These questions were explored in an opinion survey completed last week for TIME by Yankelovich, Skelly & White Inc. Some of the results based on a national probability sample of 1,046 adults:

Regarding support for Israel, 41% favor a cutback in military aid, while 37% think it should continue at present levels, and 8% would increase it. National sentiment, according to these results, has scarcely changed in the past year. But 63% of those surveyed believe that the U.S. should not sell arms to either Israelis or Arabs.

By a margin of 52% to 35%, with 13% uncertain, they oppose any formal treaty pledging the U.S. to support Israel with arms and troops in case of attack. In light of the lessening U.S. enthusiasm for foreign aid and involvement, the minority figure is impressive. A majority of 53% are also opposed to stationing a permanent U.S. peacekeeping force in the Middle East while a hefty 41% are willing and 6% are unsure. Of those who oppose such a move, 16% would change their minds if Soviet troops were also part of any major-power peace-keeping effort.

What should the U.S. do to break the monopoly of oil-producing nations? Of those interviewed, 41% favor an embargo on U.S. food sales to these countries, while 46% oppose the idea. An evenly divided number--44%--favor and oppose U.S. refusal to buy oil overseas, even if such a reduction means hardship at home. An overwhelming 81.% of respondents are opposed to any U.S. military takeover of the oilfields.

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