By Andrew L. Jaffee

A Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll finds that most Americans support Israel in its war against Hezbollah terrorists, but that many respondents “are divided about what role the United States should play in the crisis and how closely the nation should align itself with the Jewish state:”

The poll found that nearly three in five respondents — 59% — backed Israel…

Of respondents, 13% backed an immediate cease-fire, while 45% said the United States should work toward both sides accepting an international peacekeeping force.

“I feel badly for Israel. They don’t run around looking for trouble, but they are constantly being harassed and attacked by Hezbollah,” said Rick Poleck, 54, of Huntingdon, Pa., a poll respondent. …

The poll found that 43% said Israel’s bombing campaign was justified but not excessively harsh, while 16% described the response as justified but excessive. Fewer than one in three respondents — 28% — said the response to Hezbollah was unjustified.