The Associated Press-NORC Center poll reveals a complex and divided American public sentiment regarding Israel’s response to the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7. The poll indicates an increase in the perception of Israel as an ally or partner of the United States, with 44 percent of respondents in the recent survey, up from 32 percent in August, affirming shared interests and values.
The American public is split on the level of support the U.S. provides to Israel, with partisan lines influencing opinions. Democrats tend to believe that Israel receives too much support from the U.S., while Republicans generally hold the opposite view.
A significant majority, 66 percent, attribute a great deal of responsibility for the conflict to Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States and other countries. Conversely, 35 percent place a considerable amount of blame on the Israeli government.
The poll also highlights a shift in American views on the prospect of Palestinian independence, with opinions becoming more polarized along party lines since the conflict began.
Regarding the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza following the attack, 40 percent of respondents believe Israel’s response has been excessive, while 38 percent view it as appropriate. A majority of Democrats, 58 percent, consider Israel’s response to be too aggressive, compared to 18 percent of Republicans who share this view.
The survey underscores a strong concern among Americans for the recovery of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, which is considered a higher priority than military aid to Israel.
The Palestinian death toll, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, has exceeded 10,000, while the initial attacks by Hamas resulted in approximately 1,400 deaths in Israel.
The AP-NORC survey, conducted from November 2-6 with 1,239 adults, has a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points.
