Half of Americans Back Israel’s Military Action in Gaza

Half of Americans approve of the Israeli Military’s actions in Gaza, and 45% disapprove, according to polling from Gallup conducted several weeks after Hamas launched an attack on Israel leading to the military operation.

Views on the war seem to vary greatly based on age, gender, race, and political party. Majorities of Republicans (71%), men (59%) adults 55 and older (63%) and white adults (61%) approve of the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. however, more than six in 10 Democrats (63%), adults younger than 35 (67%) and people of color (64%) disapprove as does a slight majority of women (52%). Education however, doesn’t seem to affect approval or disapproval here. Nongraduates and college graduates’ reactions mirror the national average. Political independents are evenly split in their views of the matter.

The poll by Gallup was conducted Nov 1-21, in the month after the October 7, terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the military operation being conducted in Gaza is aimed at eliminating Hamas and bringing the hostages the group took on October 7th home. Polling eded before the temporary ceasefire and exchanges of prisoners and hostages.

The poll also asked for Americans views on U.S. aid going to Israel and the Palestinians–specifically military aid for Israel and humitarian aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza.

42% of Americans say the U.S. is providing the right amount of aid to Israel, and another 25% say the U.S. is not doing enough, with a total of 67% who endorse at least the current level of aid being given. 31% however say that the U.S. is doing too much in providing this aid, slightly exceeding those who believe it is too little.

A combined 74% of Americans this the U.S. is doing the right amount (34%) or not enough (40%) in providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. While 22% say the United States is doing too much in the way of providing aid to Palestinians, a greater number say they are doing too little, 40%.

Republicans, White adults, and college non graduates are the groups who are most in favor of increasing military aid to Israel. Republicans and White adults are less likely to think the U.S. should send more aid to the Palestinians. Democrats, young adults, people of color, and women are more likely to believe the United States aren’t sending enough aid to the Palestinians.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s 32% approval for his handling of the situation is lower than his overall approval rating which sits a low 37%. The deficit is most obvious among the group of people who disapprove of the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza: Democrats, people of color, women and young adults. They offer President Biden much lower ratings in his handling of the crisis in the Middle East than of his job overall.

The majority of Americans are paying attention to the situation. 72% of adults say they are paying “close attention” to the Israel-Hamas war. This includes 31% who are following it “very closely”, 41% who are following it “somewhat closely”, 17% who aren’t following it closely. Leaving only 10% who aren’t following the situation at all.

All key subgroups are following the situation at least somewhat closely, there are higher majorities among the college educated (42%) and older adults (41%) than their counterparts who also say they’re watching it closely. This is consistent with these groups higher attention to politics in general. A higher percentage of people who approve of Israel’s actions (39%) than disapprove (24%) say they are following the news of the war, “Very closely”.

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