Americans' Favorable View of Netanyahu at Record High, Says Gallup Poll

Nearly half of Americans have a favorable view of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, matching the previous high registered in polls taken by Gallup.

The polling company reported that its latest survey shows 45 percent of respondents have a favorable view of the Prime Minister, while only 24 percent have an unfavorable opinion. As of last November, only 44 percent of Americans had a favorable view of President Barack Obama, and a recent poll showed that 35 percent of Americans think he does not love his country.

The poll's result was the most positive response to Netanyahu since 1998, when he also enjoyed a 45 percent favorable rating, 10 points higher than in 2012.

"Fewer Americans have no opinion of Netanyahu today than did so in 2012, with 31% vs. 41%, respectively, either saying they are unsure or have never heard of him," according  to the annual Gallup World Affairs poll that was conducted Feb. 8-11.

Gallup added:

But even if Netanyahu has seen his relationship with the White House deteriorate, it appears to have had no impact on his standing with the American people.

"The political tension felt in the nation's capital has not hurt Netanyahu's image with the American public at large," Gallup stated. "Americans see him about as favorably today as they did at any of the six measurements Gallup has taken since 1996. The dust-up with the White House may have won Netanyahu more independent and Republican admirers while at the same time not costing him Democratic support."