A recent comprehensive Gallup poll reveals a substantial decline in support among U.S. adults for Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, with approval rates plummeting from nearly half at the onset of the conflict to just one-third.
This significant shift in American public opinion marks a critical turning point in the perception of the Gaza conflict, indicating a growing disfavor with the military operations that have intensified since the initial engagements with Hamas.
Adding to the nuanced sentiment, the polling data also indicates a record low favorability for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; approximately half of U.S. adults now view him unfavorably, marking his most negative rating since Gallup began including him in their surveys in 1997, a period coinciding with increased international scrutiny over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The burgeoning disapproval is predominantly fueled by a notable decrease in support among Democrats and independents, who now express significantly less approval for Israel’s actions compared to November 2023, following Hamas’s initial attack and Israel’s subsequent ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, the generational gap in public sentiment is stark, with only about one in ten adults under the age of 35 approving of Israel’s military choices, a dramatic contrast to approximately half of those aged 55 or older who maintain their support for Israel’s defense operations.
Gallup senior editor Megan Brenan emphasizes that these latest figures starkly reflect the enduring and deepening partisan divide within the United States, highlighting that while Democrats and independents increasingly voice their dissatisfaction with Israel’s military campaign, Republicans largely remain steadfast in their approval, demonstrating a clear political schism.
While former President Joe Biden navigated considerable internal Democratic opposition regarding his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the poll suggests that dissatisfaction among Democrats may be even more pronounced under a Republican administration, even as former President Donald Trump’s base maintains solid support for his Mideast policies.
The survey further illuminates contrasting priorities, with Americans overall deeming humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza as more “extremely” or “very” important than military aid to Israel, yet Republicans specifically prioritize military assistance to Israel over humanitarian efforts in Gaza, underscoring the deep ideological rifts on foreign policy and aid allocation.
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