Precisely four-fifths of Americans support Israel over Hamas amid competing views surrounding the Middle Eastern conflict, according to a new poll.
The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, conducted November 15–16 with 2,851 registered voters, found that the surveyed Americans overwhelmingly backed Israel at 80 percent, compared with 20 percent in favor of Hamas.
“When asked the clear question on whether voters support Israel or Hamas, Americans give a clear answer that they support Israel and proposed congressional aid,” Harvard CAPS/Harris poll co-director Mark Penn said in summary of the latest findings. “They also support four-hour pauses and other help to those in Gaza but believe Israel has the right to continue its campaign unless hostages are released.”
Notably, support for Israel increased among older Americans, while the youngest generation had the smallest divide between the pro-Israel and pro-Hamas camps. Fifty-five percent in the 18–24 age range supported Israel, while 65 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds concurred. Ninety-five percent said the same in the 65-and-older age group.
Public demands for a cease-fire have intensified in recent weeks, with pro-Palestinian protesters being the main advocate for a truce between the two warring sides. According to the latest poll, released Monday, 57 percent generally believe a cease-fire in this conflict is the right call.
At least 13,000 Palestinians have died since October 7, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The Palestinian-government agency doesn’t differentiate between the deaths of civilians and terrorists, which has prompted Israel to cast doubt on the Gaza Health Ministry’s official tally.
The poll also gauged opinions about President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel–Hamas war, which has largely received support since the conflict first began early last month. Fifty-eight percent of voters approved of the president’s Israel policy so far, and 66 percent said Biden should continue supporting the Jewish state’s war against the Iranian-sponsored terrorist group rather than pull back aid.
As the conflict persists, however, Biden’s approval rating among younger voters is plummeting dramatically. An NBC News poll released on Sunday showed that only 31 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds approve of Biden amid the war in Gaza, which decreased 15 percentage points from what it was in September.