Since the war with Hamas started, Americans’ views on U.S. support for Israel have been shifting. Donald Trump capitalized on frustration with Biden’s handling of the situation. His 2024 campaign attracted some pro-Palestinian voters who were unhappy with Biden’s policies. Many of them may have chosen not to vote for Biden, or perhaps even voted for Trump. Trump’s promise to take a tougher stance on Israel seemed to appeal to these voters. But now, as Trump has followed through on some of his promises, opinions have started to change.
Trump doubles down on support for Israel
Trump made his position clear early in the campaign. He promised to support Israel even more strongly than Biden had. Trump’s rhetoric has been controversial. He suggested the U.S. should take control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians. This idea has drawn praise from Israel’s Netanyahu but sparked outrage among human rights groups. Experts have called it a violation of international law. A majority of Americans are not on board with this idea. Polls show that Trump’s push for U.S. control of Gaza is deeply unpopular. This stance may hurt him in the eyes of voters who are already divided over his foreign policy.
American public divided on the conflict
Polls indicate that Americans’ opinions on the Israel-Hamas war have evolved over time. Early on, most sided with Israel. A Fox News poll from January 2024 showed that 54% of Americans supported Israel, while 32% supported Palestinians. But public sentiment has shifted. According to a YouGov/The Economist survey from February, 21% now sympathize more with Palestinians, a sharp increase from 2017. It’s still a minority, but the shift is noticeable. Democrats are leading this change, with 35% now sympathizing with Palestinians. That’s a big jump from just 27% in January. Republicans, on the other hand, remain largely supportive of Israel, with 60% standing by them.
Partisan split on Trump’s stance
There’s a clear partisan divide in opinions about Trump’s handling of the conflict. Most Republicans still support his approach, with 67% approving of his stance. In contrast, many Democrats and independents are less pleased. Only 12% of Democrats and 25% of independents think Trump’s support for Israel is “about right.” This shows a significant gap between the two parties. Trump’s stance may please many Republicans, but it alienates a growing number of voters from the left. For Trump, this could be a double-edged sword as he navigates his re-election campaign.
Blame for casualties: Hamas vs. Israel
The American public is also divided on who’s to blame for the civilian casualties in Gaza. A plurality of 44% in a recent poll blamed Hamas, while 24% blamed Israel. This points to the complex nature of the conflict and how hard it is for Americans to assign blame. Many are caught between sympathizing with the Palestinians and recognizing the threat posed by Hamas. This division adds to the complexity of the issue and could influence how the U.S. responds to the situation moving forward.
Americans want less military aid to Israel
When it comes to U.S. military aid to Israel, the American public is increasingly divided. A YouGov/The Economist poll found that 35% of Americans now support cutting aid to Israel, while only 15% want to increase it. This represents a significant change in opinion. There’s growing concern that the U.S. is too involved in the conflict. Many Americans are starting to question whether continued military support is the right move. It’s clear that a large portion of the public feels it’s time to reassess the level of U.S. involvement in Israel’s defense.
Trump’s Gaza takeover idea fails to gain support
Trump’s idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza is one of his most unpopular foreign policy proposals. A YouGov poll showed that 54% of Americans oppose the idea, with only 24% supporting it. Even fewer Americans are willing to support the idea if it involves using military force. In a separate poll by Data for Progress, 62% of likely voters rejected the idea of a U.S. takeover. This shows that while Trump’s rhetoric may appeal to some, it doesn’t have broad public support. His push for control over foreign territories has failed to gain traction with most Americans.
Concerns over Trump’s foreign policy direction
Americans are beginning to question Trump’s foreign policy approach. A Quinnipiac poll revealed that 52% of voters are skeptical about a peace deal between Israel and Hamas holding. Many are worried that Trump’s policies may destabilize the region even further. A YouGov/CBS News poll also showed that 45% of Americans think Trump’s policies will decrease global peace and stability. This is a sign that Trump’s aggressive stance on foreign issues may be turning off voters who are concerned about the broader implications of his actions.
Americans reject U.S. territorial expansion
Trump has proposed acquiring foreign territories before, not just Gaza. He has suggested taking control of Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada. Polls show that Americans are not in favor of these ideas. A YouGov poll found that 46% of Americans oppose acquiring Greenland, and 57% oppose annexing Canada. While the Panama Canal proposal has more support, it still doesn’t gain majority approval. Republicans tend to support these ideas more than Democrats, but overall, Americans seem wary of expanding U.S. territory. Trump’s proposals may reflect his foreign policy ambitions, but they don’t align with the views of most voters.
Americans continue to support Ukraine
While Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine, Americans remain largely supportive of Ukraine’s fight against Russia. A bipartisan majority, 70%, believes the U.S. should support Ukraine by calling for a ceasefire that ensures their security. But there’s growing concern that the U.S. has been too involved in the conflict. A Pew Research survey showed that 47% of Republicans think the U.S. has given too much aid to Ukraine. Democrats are divided, with some believing the U.S. hasn’t done enough. This division reflects broader concerns over America’s role in foreign conflicts.
Divisions over U.S. support for Ukraine
Despite the bipartisan support for Ukraine, some Americans are beginning to reconsider the level of U.S. support. A Morning Consult poll found that a growing number of Americans think the U.S. should do more to help Ukraine. This shift shows that public opinion is fluid, especially as the war drags on. However, there’s still resistance, especially among Republicans, to further U.S. involvement in the conflict. This ongoing debate shows that the public is split on how much the U.S. should engage in global conflicts.
Trump’s popularity takes a hit
Trump’s approval ratings have fallen since the start of his second term. According to a 538 poll, as of February 19, 2024, 49.1% of Americans approve of his performance. However, his disapproval ratings have increased, signaling that some voters are starting to turn away from him. Trump’s approval ratings are lower than those of past presidents at this point in their terms. This shows that while Trump still has a loyal base, his overall popularity is on the decline. The upcoming election will likely be a crucial test for his political future.
In conclusion, while Trump’s support for Israel and foreign policy stances continue to resonate with certain segments of the population, his ideas on Gaza and territorial expansion have generated significant backlash. As public opinion continues to shift, Trump’s handling of foreign affairs will play a major role in his political future.
