A significant shift in American sentiment regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has been revealed, with a recent Gallup poll indicating a record low level of U.S. public opinion support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
This latest survey highlights a dramatic decline in approval, particularly among a key demographic, signaling evolving attitudes towards the Israeli-Hamas war that commenced over a year ago.
Tracing back to November 2023, early in the conflict, Gallup’s findings showed a different landscape: approximately half of all Americans expressed approval for Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip, with a smaller proportion registering disapproval.
However, by June of the following year, the balance had begun to shift; while 42% of Americans still approved, a greater number now expressed their disapproval, marking a crucial turning point in public perception.
The most recent poll, conducted from July 7-21, paints an even starker picture, with overall American support for Israel’s war in Gaza plummeting to just 32%. This substantial drop underscores a growing discomfort among the populace regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Delving deeper into the partisan divide, the survey found a precipitous fall in support among Democrats, whose approval rating for Israel’s actions declined sharply from an initial 36% to a mere 8%. This demographic’s disaffection significantly contributes to the overall downturn in national sentiment.
Conversely, Republican support for Israel’s actions in Gaza has remained remarkably steadfast at 71% since November 2023. This stark divergence now represents the largest partisan gap Gallup has ever recorded on the issue, emphasizing a profound political divide within the United States.
The timing of the poll, coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington D.C. and preceding the full escalation of current humanitarian concerns, adds another layer of context to these results. The findings serve as compelling evidence that Israel is increasingly losing the long-standing support it has historically enjoyed among Democratic voters.
Furthermore, the poll also revealed plummeting approval ratings for Prime Minister Netanyahu himself and a sharp disapproval among Democrats concerning Israel’s military actions in Iran, indicating a broader dissatisfaction with regional strategies and leadership.
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