RAMALLAH, September 19 (JMCC) - Nearly half of the public in 19 countries support granting Palestinians statehood at the United Nations,
found a BBC-GlobeScan poll. Twenty-one percent of respondents said their government should oppose the move.
Remarkably, nearly half of those surveyed in the US (where Israeli support is strong) also supported the Palestinian appeal to the UN.
The poll, jointly conducted by the BBC and GlobeScan, saw majority support in four predominantly Muslim countries, with Chinese people also strongly endorsing the proposal.
Even in countries where opposition was strongest, more people polled supported the resolution than were against it.
The United States and the Philippines both polled 36% against the resolution. But 45% of Americans and 56% of Filipinos backed recognition.
The lowest level of support was in India, with 32% in favour and 25% opposed, with many undecided.
Support was strongest in Egypt, where 90% were in favour and only 9% opposed.
In other Muslim countries, Turkey recorded 60% support, 19% opposition; Pakistan 52% for, 12 against; and Indonesia 51% for, 16% against.
Chinese were among the most enthusiastic supporters, with 56% in favour and just 9% opposed.
Public opinion in the three large European Union member states included in the poll was strikingly similar on the issue: France (54% support, 20% opposition), Germany (53% v 28%) and the UK (53% v 26%).
Overall, 30% opted for not giving a definite answer as they thought their country should abstain, or it depends, or they did not offer a view.