A recent Gallup survey revealed that a majority of Americans now disapprove of Israel’s military actions against the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip. This marks a significant shift from November when there was more approval than disapproval. The poll showed that 55% of US adults disapprove of Israel’s actions in Gaza, while only 36% approve. This comes as tensions between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have escalated over the conduct of the nearly six-month-old war, particularly regarding IDF operations in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
Specifically, the poll found that only 18% of self-identified Democrats approved of Israel’s actions in Gaza, a significant drop from November. On the other hand, pro-Israel sentiment has also decreased among self-identified Republicans, with fewer approving of the military response compared to November. Support for Israel’s actions was lowest among self-described independents, with the majority expressing disapproval. Those who were closely following the war in the Middle East were more likely to approve of Israel’s actions, while those paying less attention were less likely to approve.
President Biden’s approval rating for his handling of the Middle East conflict is at its lowest point, with only 27% approving. This comes after the US allowed the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The resolution did not link the cease-fire to the release of hostages held in Gaza or the remains of prisoners believed to have died in captivity. Israel publicly criticized the Biden administration for this move and Netanyahu canceled plans to send a delegation to Washington to discuss the situation in Rafah. Despite this, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with top US officials this week.
Negotiations in Qatar aimed at securing the release of hostages quickly broke down after Hamas demanded that Israel withdraw its troops from Gaza and approve an exchange of Palestinian prisoners. The Gallup poll was conducted from March 1-20 among 1,016 adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. The findings reflect a general decrease in approval of Israel’s military actions in Gaza among the American public, highlighting the growing tensions between the US and Israel over the conflict. Despite efforts to reach a cease-fire and resolve the hostage situation, the situation remains complex and challenging for all parties involved.
