Current:Home > ScamsAmericans divided over Israel response to Hamas attacks, AP-NORC poll shows -LegacyCapital
Americans divided over Israel response to Hamas attacks, AP-NORC poll shows
View
Date:2025-04-22 21:57:46
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans have become more likely to describe Israel as an ally that shares U.S. interests and values since the war with Hamas began, but they’re divided over whether Israel has gone too far in its response to last month’s attack, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The survey, which was conducted from Nov. 2 to 6, also reveals skepticism among Democrats toward Israel, which could present a challenge for President Joe Biden as he tries to balance support for the country’s defense and his party’s shifting priorities.
The result is a rather muddled picture that presents few easy options for the White House as it keeps one eye on public opinion with an election year on the horizon.
“It’s just so complicated,” said Carolyn Reyes, a 36-year-old Democrat in New York. “And I will not even pretend to understand the complicated nature of the relationship between the United States and Israel.”
During an August poll, only 32% of Americans described Israel as an ally that shares U.S. interests and values. But that figure increased to 44% in the latest survey, which was conducted after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas that killed 1,400 Israelis.
However, only 36% said it’s extremely or very important to provide aid to Israel’s military to fight Hamas. And 40% of Americans said Israel’s military response in the Gaza Strip has gone too far. The Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip, which is run by Hamas, said 10,000 Palestinians have died from weeks of Israeli bombardment and a recent ground invasion.
Reyes recalled hearing about the death toll on the news and thinking “it seems so high, I thought that can’t be right.”
Four thousand children have died in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry there, and Reyes said “that’s the line that’s too far.”
It’s a sentiment more common among Democrats, 58% of whom view Israel’s counterattack as excessive.
Overall, 38% of Americans said Israel’s response has been about right, and just 18% said it has not gone far enough.
Complicating the situation is Americans’ interest in balancing several foreign policy goals simultaneously. About 6 in 10 believe it’s extremely important or very important for the U.S. to help recover hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, while roughly half said the same thing about preventing harm to Palestinian civilians or providing humanitarian relief in the territory.
Nearly two thirds of Americans (63%) disapprove of how Biden is handling the conflict between Israel and Hamas, while only one-third approve. That’s in line with his overall job approval: 60% of US adults disapprove of the way Biden is handling his job as president, while 38% approve.
Robert Byrd, a 50-year-old Democrat in Virginia, said he’s glad to see Biden supporting Israel.
Back in World War II, when the Holocaust occurred, “the United States waited too long to help out the Jewish community,” he said. “I think we’ve learned from our mistakes of our past. It’s wonderful that we have a president that’s willing to step up and do the right thing.”
Byrd said he’ll remain satisfied with Biden’s handling of the situation “as long as we don’t have boots on the ground over there,” and he’s comfortable with Israel’s response to Hamas’ attack.
“Israel is trying to keep its independence,” he said. “They’re doing what they should probably do to keep their independence.”
Such sentiments are less common among younger voters like Sean O’Hara, an 18-year-old in California. He said he’s registered to vote but not with a political party.
“Funding a war like this isn’t really in line with my beliefs,” he said. “I think staying out of it is the better option.”
O’Hara was concerned about supporting Israel because “they’re colonizing all of Palestine and they have been for many years.”
Although there was initially sympathy among people he knows for Israel after the Hamas attacks, O’Hara said, that shifted once “people were like, there’s a history here.”
Israel gained control of the Palestinian territories of West Bank and Gaza during the Six Days War in 1967.
The West Bank remains under military occupation. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but instituted a blockade when Hamas took control, and there has been sporadic fighting for years.
Americans pin blame for the current conflict on Hamas, which the U.S. government considers to be a terrorist organization. About two-thirds of Americans (66%) said Hamas has a lot of responsibility for the war, while 35% said the same about Israel.
Aaron Philipson, a 64-year-old Republican in Florida, said he’s disappointed by Biden’s approach to the war.
“He’s not taking a proper stand,” he said. ”He seems to be trying to dictate policy to Netanyahu, and Netanyahu doesn’t seem to be having any of it,” he said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I’ve never seen the anti-Israeli sentiment so high,” Philipson said. “It’s awful what’s going on right now.”
About half of Americans (52%) say they are extremely or very concerned that the recent war between Israel and Hamas will increase prejudice against Jewish people in the United States. About 4 in 10 share the same concern about prejudice against Muslim people (43%).
Majorities of Democrats are similarly concerned about prejudice against Jews (57%) and Muslims (58%). A slight majority of Republicans are worried about prejudice against Jews (54%) with fewer being concerned about Muslims (28%).
Philipson said he didn’t want to vote for Donald Trump again, but would consider backing the former president in a potential contest with Biden next year.
Under Biden’s leadership, he said, “it’s all falling apart right now,” and “this war is sort of like the icing on the cake.”
___
The poll of 1,239 adults was conducted Nov. 2-6, 2023, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to represent the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
veryGood! (32)
Related
- Chief beer officer for Yard House: A side gig that comes with a daily swig.
- Joe Musgrove injury: Padres lose pitcher to Tommy John surgery before NLDS vs. Dodgers
- Frustrated Helene survivors struggle to get cell service in destructive aftermath
- In Competitive Purple Districts, GOP House Members Paint Themselves Green
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- 'Extremely grateful': Royals ready for Yankees, ALDS as pitching quartet makes most of chances
- Barbie releases new doll for Diwali to 'celebrate the power and beauty of diversity'
- Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse Make Rare Joint Appearance Months After Welcoming Baby
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- Bighorn sheep habitat to remain untouched as Vail agrees to new spot for workforce housing
Ranking
- Hidden Home Gems From Kohl's That Will Give Your Space a Stylish Refresh for Less
- NFL says it's not involved in deciding when Tua Tagovailoa returns from concussion
- Why do dogs sleep so much? Understanding your pet's sleep schedule
- 'That '90s Show' canceled by Netflix, show's star Kurtwood Smith announces on Instagram
- From bitter rivals to Olympic teammates, how Lebron and Steph Curry became friends
- Dream On: The American Dream now costs $4.4m over a lifetime
- Mets find more late magic, rallying to stun Phillies in NLDS opener
- Michael Madigan once controlled much of Illinois politics. Now the ex-House speaker heads to trial
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Airbnb offering free temporary housing to displaced Hurricane Helene survivors
As affordable housing disappears, states scramble to shore up the losses
The Supreme Court opens its new term with election disputes in the air but not yet on the docket
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
A Tennessee nurse and his dog died trying to save a man from floods driven by Hurricane Helene
Evidence of alleged sexual abuse to be reviewed in Menendez brothers case, prosecutors say
Dream On: The American Dream now costs $4.4m over a lifetime