A set of recently released opinions polls shows a possible seismic shift in world opinion vis-à-vis Israel and al-Qaeda.

A new poll released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows that Americans overwhelmingly support Israel. No surprise there. Unexpected was the ADL’s finding that European attitudes towards the Jewish state have improved “somewhat.”

Even more encouraging, a survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project found that,

Osama bin Laden's standing has dropped significantly in some pivotal Muslim countries, while support for suicide bombings and other acts of violence has "declined dramatically."

Regarding Israel, the ADL reported:

Americans sympathize far more with Israel than the Palestinians — 42% vs. 14%; they view Ariel Sharon favorably — 42% vs. 22%; and they overwhelmingly believe — 77% — that Israel is serious about peace.

In contrast, Europeans, as found in ADL's poll of twelve European countries conducted in May, sympathize with the Palestinians over Israel — 25% vs. 13%; view Sharon unfavorably — 39% vs. 19%; and view Mahmoud Abbas favorably — 31% vs. 12%.

These findings come at a time when there are ambivalent trends in the international community vis-à-vis Israel. On the one hand, Israel is receiving credit and support for its unilateral disengagement from Gaza. In ADL's polls both Americans — 71% — and Europeans — 67% — believe that Israel's decision is a "bold step toward peace." And even in Europe, 56% of the public say that Israel is serious about peace. Moreover, political leaders, including Kofi Annan, have expressed their appreciation for what Israel is doing.

Amongst the Muslim public, enlightened self interest may finally be taking root. According to the Washington Post,

"Muslims, like non-Muslims, are plugged into the world. . . . It is one thing to be caught up in the supposed glamour of attacking the superpower or global bully, but it is quite another to have to pay the consequences economically, politically -- not to mention personally. This is what has happened in places like Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey, where many people now see extremist Islam as a threat to their lives, not a fantasy game of kick Uncle Sam." [Augustus Richard Norton, a Middle East specialist at Boston University] …

The new poll also found that growing majorities or pluralities of Muslims now say that democracy can work in their countries and is not just a Western ideology. Support for democracy was in the 80 percent range in Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco. It was selected by 43 percent in Pakistan and 48 percent in Turkey -- the largest blocks of respondents in both countries because significant numbers were unsure.

"They are not just paying lip service. They are saying they specifically want a fair judiciary, freedom of expression and more than one party in elections. It wasn't just a vague concept," Kohut said. "U.S. and Western ideas about democracy have been globalized and are in the Muslim world." [Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center and project director]

It seems that Muslims were happy vicariously cheering on terrorist murderers “as long as it is not in my back yard.” Nonetheless, the poll results are encouraging. Sometimes a good dose of reality is the only prescription for wishful thinking.