A new Gallup poll shows that Americans disapprove of Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza. The poll found that 55% disapprove of Israel’s actions, while 36% approve.
Israel is attempting to defeat Hamas, the terrorist group and elected leaders of the Palestinians, after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The Oct. attacks by Hamas killed over 1,100 Israeli citizens and took hostages. During the attack, Hamas committed atrocities that were recorded on GoPro cameras worn by the terrorists during the attack.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is in an offensive campaign to defeat Hamas. Hamas uses over 200 miles of tunnels under the Palestinian city of Gaza to hide and harass the IDF. Hamas also uses hospitals and civilians as cover which forces the IDF into firefights in heavily populated areas.
Many Americans support the Palestinians despite the long-standing alliance between the U.S. and Israel. Israel is a small nation, about the size of New Jersey, and has fought wars for its survival since being re-established as a nation in 1948 following World War II and the Holocaust against the Jewish people.
1) Hamas attacks Israel.
2) Israel defends itself from terrorists.
3) The radical-left pressures Dems to abandon Israel.
4) Leader Schumer bows to the left, blames Israel for the conflict, and calls for the ouster of their Prime Minister.
Appalling.…— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) March 21, 2024
Supporters of Palestine and Hamas often lack an understanding of the region’s history. The ancestral homeland of the Jewish people was established between the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River over 3,000 years ago. Thousands of Jews spread into Europe during the Roman Empire according to the Jewish historian, Josephus.
As their numbers grew in Europe the Jews were mistreated by various ethnic groups and governments. World War II and the Holocaust saw millions of Jews killed in Europe. After the establishment of Israel in 1948, over 688,000 Jews returned to their ancestral homeland.
Pro-Palestinian Americans believe Israel colonized the region by taking land away from the Muslim Arabs. Those willing to compromise on the conflict suggest a two-state solution — separate countries for both Israel and Palestine. This has been rejected by the Palestinians five times since 1936.
Other pro-Palestine Americans believe that Israel should give all of the land to the Palestinians. The chant “from the river to the sea” means that Palestine should control all lands between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. This chant has violent undertones, implying that any means should be used to take the land from Israel.
The Gallup poll reflects party affiliation and awareness of recent events in Israel. By party affiliation, the poll shows that Republicans approve of Israel by 64%, while independents have 29% approval, and Democrats are at 18%. Those who follow the events closely are more inclined to support Israel than those who are not following the Israeli-Hamas war.
