U.S. public support for Israel and its ongoing war against Hamas is waning, with a majority of Americans supporting a ceasefire more than a month after the vicious terrorist attack, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
In a two-day poll that ended Tuesday, about 32% of respondents said the United States should back Israel when asked what role the ally should play in the battle. The percentage represented a drop of almost 10 points compared to a survey conducted on October 12 and 13.
Meanwhile, about 39% of respondents want the US government to be a “neutral mediator.”
That figure is up from 27% dating back to last month’s survey.
Four percent of respondents believe the United States should support the Palestinians and 15 percent want the United States to stay out of the ongoing conflict.
The survey comes as thousands of Palestinians have died since the war broke out following the Hamas sneak attack that left some 1,200 Israelis dead.
Another 240 hostages were kidnapped and returned to Gaza.
In the latest poll, Americans are split 50-50 on whether Israel’s response has been excessive, but 68% of respondents agreed with the statement that “Israel should call a ceasefire and try to negotiate.”
Protesters supporting Israel hold signs alongside protesters calling for a ceasefire, outside the White House in Washington, DC, on November 15, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Still, 76% of Americans believe Israel is doing what any country would do in the wake of a devastating terrorist attack.
President Biden has resisted calling for a ceasefire and Israel has made clear that it has no intention of stopping the fighting, insisting that would give Hamas terrorists time to regroup.
The public’s dwindling support stands in stark contrast to the US government’s strong support for Israel, which sends billions of dollars in military aid to the Middle Eastern country each year.
The Win Without War Educational Fund has organized a temporary commemorative art installation on the National Mall on November 13. Getty Images for Win Without War
Only 31% of respondents said they want the United States to send weapons to Israel, while 43% were against the idea and the rest were unsure.
Republicans were more likely than Democrats to support sending weapons to the Jewish country.
When it comes to US involvement in Ukraine’s battle against Russia, 41% of respondents were in favor of sending weapons to Kiev, although in this case, Democrats were more likely to back that idea than Republicans, according to the survey.
The Reuters poll was conducted online and nationwide and received responses from 1,006 American adults.
With postal cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn