U.S. Views of Israel Reveal Partisan, Generational Split

Donald Trump has caused controversy for his stated position to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Such a move would counter decades of State Department strategy to determine the status of Jerusalem only through peace negotiations. Moreover, Trump's announced choice for US ambassador to Israel, bankruptcy lawyer David Friedman, has drawn criticism for Friedman's dismissal of a two-state solution and tolerance for Israel's building settlements in the West Bank. While a majority of Americans would prefer not to take a side in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Republicans are more likely than ever to lean toward siding with Israel, perhaps to counter what they perceive as worsening relations between the US and Israel under President Obama's tenure.