In a compelling shift of public opinion, support for Israel's military operations against Hamas in Gaza has seen a significant uptick, according to a recent Gallup poll released on Wednesday. This survey highlights a nuanced change in American perspectives amidst the ongoing conflict.

Surge in Approval Ratings

The latest poll indicates that 42 percent of Americans now approve of Israel's military actions in Gaza, a modest increase from earlier this year. In March 2024, approval stood at 36 percent, while disapproval was notably higher at 55 percent. The narrowing of this gap underscores a growing acceptance of Israel's defensive measures against Hamas.

Historical Context and Shifts

Reflecting on historical data, the poll's findings mark a considerable shift from November 2023, when the initial response to the war saw a higher approval rating. At that time, 50 percent of Americans approved of Israel's response to the brutal October 7th surprise attack, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 240 captives.

You should absolutely not abandon your (classical?) liberal views, but perhaps realize that the current D party is not at all what is was ~20 years back?

Listen - supporting Israel - recent Gallup.
R 73%
D 30%
That says a bit about the current D.

(I'm not R btw)

— Ron (@Huldunet) July 9, 2024

Disapproval then was at 45 percent.

Escalation and International Tensions

This poll was conducted following Israel's strategic expansion of its military operations into Rafah, located in southern Gaza. This maneuver has intensified global scrutiny and heightened tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden. Additionally, the prospects of a potential hostage release and cease-fire deal appear increasingly bleak, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.

Political Spectrum Analysis

A closer examination of the poll reveals that support for Israel's military actions has risen across various political demographics. Notably, Republicans have shown the most significant increase, with approval ratings soaring to 76 percent, the highest since the conflict began. This is a marked rise from the 64 percent approval recorded in March 2024, and even higher than the 71 percent in November 2023.

Democrats and independents, though less pronounced, also exhibited increased support. In the most recent survey, 23 percent of Democrats and 34 percent of independents voiced approval of Israel's actions, each reflecting a 5-point increase since March 2024. However, it's worth noting that in November 2023, approval ratings were higher among these groups, with 36 percent of Democrats and 47 percent of independents in favor of Israel's military efforts.

According to a Gallup survey, nearly half of Americans rate antisemitism as a “very serious” problem in the U.S. compared to only 9% when Gallup previously measured this in 2003.https://t.co/RkTx0WUz3G

— News For Peace (@NewsForPeaceUS) July 2, 2024

Poll Methodology

The Gallup poll, conducted from June 3 to June 23, 2024, included responses from 1,005 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. This data provides a critical lens through which to understand evolving American attitudes towards the conflict in Gaza.

Conclusion

The increase in American support for Israel's military actions against Hamas reflects a dynamic and shifting landscape of public opinion. As the conflict continues to unfold, these insights offer valuable perspectives on the broader implications for U.S.-Israel relations and the international community's stance on the Middle East crisis.