spotlight Poll Shows Americans' Views On Mideast Largely Unchanged Jewish Telegraphic Agency A mericans' views on Middle East issues have not changed in recent months, despite major headlines from the region, according to a new poll. The Pew Research Center poll, conducted in late May, found that Americans still sympathize with Israel over the Palestinians in their ongoing conflict by 48 percent to 11 percent. Those numbers are on par with an April survey that found Americans supporting Israel over the Palestinians 49 percent to 16 percent. The unchanged support for Israel also comes after escalating tension in the U.S.-Israel relationship, including President Obama's declaration that a two-state solution should be based on the 1967 border lines with mutually agreed land swaps. As a group, self-identified conserva- tive Republicans had the most sympa- thy for Israel at 75 percent, compared to 32 percent who identified as liberal Democrats. According to the May poll, 50 per- cent of Americans said they believe Obama is striking the right balance in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, 21 percent said he is favoring the Palestinians too much and 6 percent said he is favoring Israel, with the rest unsure. Those numbers are nearly identical to the Pew poll in April. Regarding the Arab Spring events, 23 percent said they thought the changes will be good for the United States and 26 percent said they will be bad. Thirty-six percent said the Arab Spring will have no effect on the U.S., and the rest were undecided. The poll had a sample size of 1,509 adults and a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. A separate poll commissioned by the Israel Project found that a major- ity of U.S. voters would oppose a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has indi- cated he will seek from the United Nations in September. Fifty-seven percent polled June 5-7 said they would oppose such a move, up from 51 percent in April. One-quarter of voters said they would support the dec- laration, down from 31 percent in April. The Israel Project survey polled 800 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points. I G A rea t Place tosh Its Warren Prescriptions is the place to shop for all your kids'kamp needs. grand kids oung Judaea, the world's foremost Zionist youth movement, will launch as an independent organization. The plan was announced last week by Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, which has supported the pro- gram for more than 70 years. Nine former Young Judaea leaders, avid Young Judaea supporters and Hadassah leaders have been asked to serve on the founding board of the newly independent organiza- tion. Hadassah will continue to provide financial support, have board represen- tation and work collaboratively with the 102-year-old movement, said Hadassah National President Nancy Falchuk. "The alumni of Young Judaea are proud that Hadassah's national board voted this week to help the movement become independent" said founding board member Michael Berman of Minnesota. "With the leadership and support of Hadassah, Young Judaea will have the tools it needs to grow and strengthen. Young Judaea will continue to be the go-to group for unparalleled Jewish youth leadership development and Israel engagement" "For some time, many of us have felt that Young Judaea should stand as an independent entity, giving it the power to reach its full potential" Falchuk said. Berman outlined immediate goals: • Creating a cohesive summer camp network and broadening the scope of its Israel offerings, including Year Course in Israel, its college gap-year program. • Providing new energy for Young Judaea as a vibrant brand with relevant peer-led opportunities for connect- ing American youth to Israel and the Jewish people. • Reaching out to its vast alumni network and Jewish community lead- ers worldwide to participate in the re- envisioning process. "Our programs, including Year Course and our five summer camps, will continue as they always have and the overall transition will be seamless," Berman said. Falchuk said Hadassah is commit- ted to remaining an important partner, providing transition funding and rais- ing significant scholarship support for Young Judaea's programs. Li fir S . Young Judaea To Launch Group Independent From Hadassah y Camp Season • Stationery • Blankets • Laundry Bass • Back Packs • Pillow Gases • Autograph Pillows • Sleeping Bags • Toiletries • Togs -WARREN COUPON- I 20% OFF _ Your Total Camp Purchase of $25 or More May not be combined with any other offer • some restrictions apply PLU9000 Limit 1 offer per family Expires 07/03/111 WARREN PRESCRIPTIONS at 14 Mile • FARMINGTON (Next to Johnny Pomodoro's) 32910 MIDDLEBELT RD. Find us on gi 248-855-1177 aN HILLS 1681820 June 23 2011 37 •