Republicans feel more sympathetic toward Israel than Democrats and independents do, a poll conducted last month by the Pew Research Center has found. The poll asked with whom respondents sympathized more in "the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians." Overall, 49 percent of respondents said they sympathized more with Israel, while just 12% said they sympathized more with the Palestinians. In addition, 12% said they sympathized with neither side. Broken down by party affiliation, 66% of Republicans, 49% of independents and 39% of Democrats say they sympathize more with Israel than with the Palestinians. The poll was conducted March 13-17 among 1,501 adults. On the issue of Iran's nuclear program, 64% of respondents overall said it was more important to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if this meant taking military action, while 25% said it was more important to avoid a military conflict with Iran, even if this meant Iran might develop nuclear weapons. Broken down by party groupings, some 80% of Republicans, 62% of Democrats and 59% of independents said it was more important to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if this meant taking military action.
