AP-NORC poll/ Israel-Hamas conflict/ Republican support for Israel/ Democratic views on Israel/ U.S. public opinion on Israel/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll shows that Republicans are more likely than Democrats to view Israel as a key U.S. ally. While both parties hold Hamas responsible for much of the conflict, Democrats tend to be more critical of Israel’s actions. The survey also highlights that public opinion on the conflict has remained largely unchanged over the past year.
Republicans and Democrats on Israel: Quick Looks
- Republican Support: Half of Republicans see Israel as a close ally that shares U.S. values.
- Democratic View: Many Democrats see Israel as a partner but are more critical of its actions in the conflict.
- Hamas Responsibility: Both parties agree that Hamas bears significant responsibility for the conflict.
- U.S. Role: Most Americans don’t blame the U.S. government for the continuation of the war.
Deep Look
The AP-NORC poll, conducted between September 12 and 16, 2024, reveals a significant partisan divide in how Americans perceive the Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader U.S.-Israel relationship. With over a year of war between Israel and Hamas, Republicans and Democrats have developed distinctly different views on the situation, and the divide remains firmly in place.
Differing Perspectives on Israel as an Ally
One of the most striking findings is the disparity in how Republicans and Democrats view Israel’s relationship with the U.S. About half of Republicans see Israel as a true ally that shares America’s values and interests. In contrast, only about half of Democrats view Israel as more of a partner, and fewer believe Israel shares U.S. values.
This split has persisted despite the ongoing conflict and escalations beyond Gaza, including Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah and the recent missile attacks from Iran. As tensions continue to rise, it remains uncertain whether these views will shift.
Public Blame for the Conflict
While Republicans are more likely to sympathize with Israel, and Democrats lean toward being more sympathetic to Palestinians, both groups agree on one major point: Hamas bears significant responsibility for the continuation of the war. Around half of U.S. adults blame Hamas for the ongoing conflict, though Democrats tend to be more critical of Israel’s role in exacerbating the situation.
Notably, few Americans assign much blame to their own government for the continuation of the conflict. Only about 1 in 10 think the U.S. bears “a lot” of responsibility, with most respondents pointing the finger at Hamas, Israel, and Iran. This consensus holds across party lines, though Democrats are slightly more likely than Republicans to attribute some responsibility to the U.S.
Republicans Strongly Back Israel’s Response
For Republicans, Israel’s military response to Hamas’ October 7 attack is widely viewed as justified. Many compare it to the United States’ response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. Brian Grider, a 48-year-old Republican from Ohio, stated, “I definitely don’t think Israel is doing too much in response to what happened to them.”
In contrast, Democrats are more critical of Israel’s actions, with over half placing significant blame on the Israeli government for the continuation of the war. This sentiment was echoed by respondents like Brian Becker, a 49-year-old Democrat from Colorado, who began questioning Israel’s actions after learning more about the impact on Palestinians.
Views on U.S. Military Aid and Policy
The poll shows that opinions on U.S. military aid to Israel have remained stable throughout the year. About 40% of Americans believe the U.S. is spending too much on military assistance, while a similar number think the aid level is appropriate. A small percentage think the U.S. is spending too little, a view that remains consistent with past polls.
Support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state has risen slightly, with around 30% of respondents in favor of the idea—an increase from 2023. Still, most Americans remain neutral or opposed to the concept, reflecting the ongoing complexity of the conflict and the challenges in finding a lasting solution.
The Complexity of Public Opinion
Paul Poast, a political scientist at the University of Chicago, highlights the complexity of U.S. public opinion on the Israel-Hamas conflict. “This leads to people having very strong views on both sides,” Poast noted, adding that the nuanced perspectives make it difficult to rally clear-cut support for either Israel or the Palestinians.
While Hamas is widely condemned for its actions, the heavy toll of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza—over 41,000 Palestinians killed, including many women and children—has complicated the narrative. Charles Jolivette, a Democrat from New Orleans, observed how the polarized media landscape has reinforced entrenched views. “I would love to have more exchanges with people who see the conflict differently,” Jolivette said.
Conclusion: The Partisan Divide Persists
The AP-NORC poll underscores how deeply divided U.S. public opinion remains on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Republicans overwhelmingly view Israel as a key ally and support its military actions, while Democrats are more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and critical of Israel’s government. Despite these differences, both sides agree that Hamas holds significant responsibility for the ongoing violence, and few Americans blame their own government for the situation.
As the conflict continues to escalate, it remains to be seen whether these views will shift or whether the partisan divide will deepen even further.
