According to a new Gallup poll, only 32% of Americans approve of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. This marks a record low since Gallup began asking the question in November 2023, shortly after the Hamas attacks.
Disapproval of Israeli actions is at 60%, showing a significant partisan divide. Democratic support has dropped to just 8%, while 25% of independents express approval. This declining consensus reflects a broader decrease in recognition of these actions.
The polling was conducted from July 7 to July 21, amidst escalating global concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. There are fears of a worsening crisis, described by some as the “worst scenario” regarding territorial struggles.
Initially, Americans were supportive of Israel following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. However, since then, each ensuing survey has shown greater disapproval, peaking at 55% in March 2024 before decreasing to 48% later that year, according to Gallup.
While 71% of Republicans still back Israel’s military actions, the stark differences between parties threaten the historical bipartisan support for US-Israel relations.
Independent senator Angus King from Maine announced he will oppose military aid to Israel due to the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, senator Bernie Sanders has put forth a resolution aimed at restricting the shipment of certain weapons to Israel, which reportedly includes thousands of fully automatic rifles.
In April 2024, Congress approved over $14 billion in security assistance for Israel. This followed a period where more than 100 separate military sales were documented by the Washington Post.
Critics have pointed fingers at President Biden for his cautious approach to aiding Israel, suggesting he is under pressure to limit the transfer of heavily destructive weapons. In contrast, the Trump administration had pledged substantial military aid to Israel in March.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over the dwindling support for Israel among Democrats. He voiced a desire to maintain strong backing and condemned what he views as a concerted effort to undermine Israel’s reputation online.
“We will combat misinformation,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of confronting falsehoods with facts.
Interestingly, Gallup’s findings also indicate a significant majority of Americans harboring negative views of Netanyahu, who is currently facing his highest disapproval ratings since 1997. Opinions on Netanyahu also vary greatly along party lines, with 67% of Republicans having a favorable view compared to just 19% of independents and 9% of Democrats.
