A recent Quinnipiac University poll has shed light on the shifting sentiments of US voters regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.
According to the poll, half of the voters in the United States believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This view is held by 77% of Democrats and 51% of independents, while a large majority of Republicans – 64% to 20% – disagree. The poll surveyed 1,220 self-identified registered voters and has a reported margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
The findings also reveal that six in 10 US voters oppose Washington sending more military aid to Israel, which is the highest share since Quinnipiac began asking the question in November 2023.
Voters are almost evenly split in their sympathies for Palestinians and Israelis, with 37% saying they are more sympathetic towards Palestinians and 36% saying they feel more sympathy for Israelis.
This marks a significant shift in public opinion, with sympathy for Palestinians being the highest and sympathy for Israelis being the lowest since Quinnipiac began asking the question in December 2001.
“Support for the Palestinians grows while the appetite for funding Israel militarily dips sharply,” said Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy. “And a harsh assessment of the way Israel is prosecuting the Gaza campaign invokes a word of infamy.”
The poll’s results are consistent with other surveys that have tracked a decline in public approval for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
A Harvard Harris poll found that 60% of Americans disapprove of Israel’s actions, while 32% approve. The same poll also revealed that 45% of voters favor either halting or reducing military aid to Israel.
The International Court of Justice has ruled that South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide can proceed, stating that Palestinians have “plausible rights to protection from genocide.”
Additionally, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. These developments have further complicated the already complex situation in Gaza.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the UN saying that famine is expanding and 10 more people have died from hunger amid the Israeli siege.
Aid experts have told the UN Security Council that the famine is “man-made” as Israel seeks retraction from the hunger monitoring system. All members of the UN Security Council, except the US, have jointly backed the IPC’s declaration of famine in Gaza.
The situation on the ground remains dire, with Palestinian families choosing between braving Israel’s fierce bombardment at home or being forcibly displaced again.
The conflict has resulted in significant human suffering, and the international community is grappling with how to address the crisis. As the conflict continues, it is clear that the humanitarian situation in Gaza will remain a pressing concern for the global community.
In conclusion, the Quinnipiac University poll highlights the growing divide in US public opinion on the Israel-Gaza conflict. While there is still significant support for Israel, the increasing sympathy for Palestinians and opposition to military aid suggest a shift in public attitudes.
The international community’s response to the crisis will likely be shaped by these changing sentiments, and policymakers will need to navigate the complex web of public opinion to find a path forward.