World: A Surge of Hope in the U.S.

• Share

In the roseate afterglow of Anwar Sadat's historic visit to Israel, Americans experienced a powerful surge of hope for peace in the Middle East. About 86% of Americans believe that the Egyptian President's initiative increased the chances for peace. That mood of confidence was shared, overwhelmingly, by citizens of every political stripe, including 87% of Republicans, 84% of Democrats and 90% of Independents. These are some of the results of a nationwide survey of 1,050 registered voters conducted for TIME by the opinion-research firm of Yankelovich, Skelly and White Inc.

The poll showed that the public image of Egypt and Israel improved markedly following Sadat's visit to Jerusalem. About 40% of those polled said their impressions of Egypt had improved, while Israel—already popular in the U.S.—was viewed more favorably by 27%. Both Sadat and Israeli Premier Menachem Begin also rose in public esteem. There was widespread feeling reflected in the poll (64%) that Sadat and Begin are equally interested in peace. A minority thought that Sadat (24%) or Begin (7%) had shown more concern for a settlement.

Americans displayed little inclination to criticize Jerusalem for failing to offer specific concessions to Cairo. In the polls, 56% felt that the Israelis went as far as they should have; only 7% believed they should have given the Egyptians more at the time of the visit. Nonetheless, 36% had not yet made up their minds, apparently waiting to see what Begin would do next. Americans believe overwhelmingly (77%) that it is important for the U.S. to continue to support Israel. But there is more division on the question of whether Israel is ready to make the concessions that may be necessary for peace. According to TIME'S survey, 39% felt that the Israelis were doing everything possible to bring about a peace settlement, but 33% regarded Israel's demands and attitudes as unreasonable; 28% were not sure. On a related question, 42% thought Israeli fears about a Palestinian state on the West Bank were reasonable, 31% unreasonable, and 27% were unsure. A minority (29%) believed that the Carter Administration had unfairly pushed the Israelis to make concessions; 50% disagreed, and the rest were not sure.