According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, sympathy among U.S. voters for Israel in its conflict with the militant group Hamas has decreased, particularly among young voters. The poll, conducted nationwide and released on Thursday, reveals that 54 percent of respondents expressed more sympathy for Israelis, while 24 percent leaned towards Palestinians. This marks a 7 percentage point decline in overall sympathy for Israelis compared to the previous Quinnipiac University poll on October 17, where 61 percent favored Israelis. However, among voters aged 18-34, sympathy for Israelis dropped, with 52 percent expressing more sympathy for Palestinians, a significant shift from October’s 41 percent.
The latest poll data comes approximately five weeks after Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, resulting in over 1,200 deaths, including numerous civilians. Israel responded with a major campaign targeting Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, using airstrikes, bombings, and ground attacks in Gaza. The conflict has claimed over 11,470 Palestinian lives, according to the Hamas-ruled Health Ministry in Gaza.
Israel’s continuous bombardment of Gaza has led to increased global pressure for Israel to cease its retaliatory actions in the Hamas-controlled territory, allowing civilians to evacuate and aid delivery. Pollsters found that 46 percent of voters approve of Israel’s response to Hamas’s October 7 attacks, with 40 percent disapproving and 14 percent remaining undecided. This approval rating is slightly lower than the November 2 poll, where 50 percent approved, 35 percent disapproved, and 15 percent did not express an opinion.
Approval numbers are divided along party lines, with 73 percent of Republicans approving of Israel’s response and 18 percent disapproving, while 27 percent of Democrats approve and 60 percent disapprove. Independents are more evenly split, with 44 percent disapproving and 40 percent approving.
A notable shift is observed among young voters aged 18 to 34, with 66 percent disapproving of Israel’s response and 20 percent approving. This represents an increase in disapproval from November 2, where 52 percent disapproved and 32 percent approved.
Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy commented, “While Americans overwhelmingly believe that Hamas lit the fuse that set the region on fire, support for Israel’s devastating counterattack deteriorates with younger voters.”
Regarding the U.S.’s support for Israel, 73 percent of voters believe it is in the national interest, while 19 percent think it is not. This sentiment is reported as “largely unchanged” since the October 17 poll.
These poll findings align with those of a Reuters/Ipsos poll published a day earlier, indicating decreased American support for Israel since the conflict’s beginning. The poll also reveals that a majority of Americans now support a cease-fire, a position opposed by the Biden administration.
The Quinnipiac University poll surveyed 1,574 registered voters from November 9 to 13, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
