Americans’ favorable rating of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority has decreased as a result of the Israel-Hamas war, according to a survey conducted last month by Gallup.
Figures showed that only 58% of Americans hold a “very” or “mostly favorable” opinion of Israel, compared with last year’s 68%, a record low in the past 20 years.
The Palestinian Authority too suffered a drop in positive ratings, dropping to 18% in comparison to the previous 26%, reaching its lowest point since 2015.
Israel’s favorable rating has decreased significantly, particularly in respondents aged 18-34, dropping from 64% to 38%. The results revealed that their view of the Palestinian Authority has not altered significantly, yet it was not very favorable originally either.
Middle-aged adults ranging from ages 35-54 have also altered their favorable stance towards Israel, dropping from 66% to 55%. Their rating of the Palestinian Authority has also decreased from 30% to 15%.
Among adults aged 55 and up, however, no significant shift was recorded in their view of Israel.
Sympathizing with Israelis and Palestinians
With regards to where sympathies lie, the figures were similar to last year, with 51% of Americans saying they sympathize more with Israelis, while 27% responded that their sympathies lie more with Palestinians.
However, the survey noted that in the past years, the gap between Israeli sympathizers and their Palestinian counterparts has decreased. The results primarily unearthed that, when looking at age groups, young adults sympathized more with Palestinians than with Israelis.
According to the poll, Americans are divided on who the US should pressure to end the conflict, with 39% stating the US should pressure the Palestinians, while 36% stated that such pressure should be applied on Israel. When divided by political affiliations, 53% of young adults and 57% of Democrats said the US should pressure Israel. Only 27% of young adults and 24% of Democrats stated the opposite.
Middle-aged adults, along with those who identify as independents, were equally divided on the matter, with 37% saying both sides should be pressured. Among adults aged 55 and up, 49% of respondents said the US should apply more pressure on Israel, while 27% said the same for the Palestinians. When looking at those who identify with the Republican party, a majority of respondents, 64%, said the US should pressure the Palestinians more than the Israelis, while only 14% argued the opposite.
A new development can be seen regarding the question of whether the conflict poses a critical threat to the US. In comparison with 35% two years ago, this year's survey showed 52% of Americans think this is the case. Here too, the answers were divided based on political affiliation, with 55% of Democrats, 53% of Republicans, and 50% of independents. The numbers also showed those aged 55 and up as most probable holders of such a view, with 64%, in comparison with 38% of middle-aged adults and 48% of young adults.
A new development can be marked regarding the question of whether the conflict poses a critical threat to the US. In comparison with 35% two years ago, this year’s survey showed that 52% of Americans think this is the case. Here too, the answers were divided based on political affiliation – 55% Democrats, 53% Republicans, and 50% independents.
The numbers also conveyed that those aged 55 and over were the most likely to hold such views – 64%, in comparison with 38% of middle-aged adults, and 48% of young adults.
At the backdrop of the Gaza war, opinions concerning the plausibility of Israel making peace with its Arab neighbors have shifted, with 53% of Americans stating they doubted such an outcome could take place, while 42% voiced a more optimistic view. This is in complete contrast with last year’s equal divide.
Concerning American opinion on the creation of an independent Palestinian state, figures have not changed dramatically. The survey found that 53% of Americans supported it and 34% opposed it. However, opinions differed based on political affiliations. Numbers displayed that 74% of Democrats, 55% of independents, and 26% of Republicans are in favor of erecting a Palestinian state.