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- Research found growing disapproval among Republicans and political independents for Israel鈥檚 conduct of its military offensive in Gaza
- About 7 out of 10 young people in Biden鈥檚 Democratic Party disapprove of his approach to the conflict
WASHINGTON: Half of US adults say Israel鈥檚 15-week-old military campaign in Gaza has 鈥済one too far,鈥� a finding driven mainly by growing disapproval among Republicans and political independents, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Broadly, the poll shows support for Israel and the Biden administration鈥檚 handling of the situation ebbing slightly further across the board. The poll shows 31 percent of US adults approve of Biden鈥檚 handling of the conflict, including just 46 percent of Democrats. That鈥檚 as an earlier spike in support for Israel following the Hamas attacks Oct. 7 sags.
Melissa Morales, a 36-year-old political independent in Runnemede, New Jersey, says she finds herself watching videos and news from Gaza daily. Images of Palestinian children wounded, orphaned or unhoused by the fighting in Gaza make her mind go to her own 3-year-old boy.
鈥淚 just can鈥檛 even imagine, like, my son roaming the streets, wanting to be safe. Wanting his mom. Or just wanting someone to get him,鈥� she said.
Israel鈥檚 offensive has gone too far, Morales says, and so has the Biden administration鈥檚 support for it. Biden has supported Israel militarily and diplomatically since the first hours after the Hamas militant group鈥檚 Oct. 7 attacks, which Israel says killed 1,200 people.
The US has become increasingly isolated in its support of Israel as the Palestinian death toll rises past 27,000, with two-thirds of the victims women and children. The Biden administration says it is pressing Israel to reduce its killing of civilians and allow in more humanitarian aid.
鈥淭hese kids ... they鈥檙e needing the end of this,鈥� Morales said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such an unfair fight.鈥�
John Milor, a cybersecurity expert in Clovis, California, who describes himself as a Republican-voting independent, says he remains 鈥�100 percent鈥� behind Israel.
But Milor notices more young people in his circle speaking out against Israel. A visit to a family friend led to Milor being aghast when the man鈥檚 stepson denounced Israelis as 鈥渨armongers.鈥�
鈥淎nd I鈥檓 like, 鈥漎ou鈥檙e kidding, right?鈥溾€� Milor recounted.
鈥樷€橧t鈥檚 not like they asked to be attacked, you know,鈥� Milor said by phone this week. 鈥淎nd they still have hostages over there.鈥�
The poll shows 33 percent of Republicans now say Israel鈥檚 military response has gone too far, up from 18 percent in November. Fifty-two percent of independents say that, up from 39 percent. Sixty-two percent of Democrats say they feel that way, roughly the same majority as in November.
In all, 50 percent of US adults now believe Israel鈥檚 military offensive has gone beyond what it should have, the poll found. That鈥檚 up from 40 percent in an AP-NORC poll conducted in November.
The new poll was conducted from Jan. 25 to 28. That overlapped with the killing of three US troops in Jordan, the first deaths among American service members in what鈥檚 been widening regional conflict since Oct. 7. US officials blamed a drone strike by a Hamas-allied militia.
The new poll鈥檚 findings include more worrying news for President Joe Biden when it comes to support from his own political party.
Fracture lines are growing in his Democratic base, with some key Democratic blocs that Biden will likely need if he鈥檚 going to win a second term unhappy with his handling of the conflict.
About 6 in 10 non-white Democrats disapprove of how Biden is approaching the conflict, while about half of white Democrats approve.
Notably, about 7 in 10 Democrats under 45 disapprove. That鈥檚 the opposite of the attitude of older Democrats, among whom nearly 6 in 10 approve.
Sarah Jackson, a 31-year-old professional closet designer in Chicago, is a Democrat. She says Biden has been about right in his level of support for both Israel and the Palestinians.
But as Israel鈥檚 air and ground offensive goes on, Jackson鈥檚 thoughts turn to finding the best way to phase down US support for it, she says.
鈥淎t first I was very supportive, because I did believe they need some type of help,鈥� Jackson said.
鈥淏ut yes, as it goes on, I do become more worried,鈥� she said. That includes worrying a new leader will take office here, and phase down support for Israel too abruptly, she says.
About 7 in 10 of the Democrats who disapprove of Biden鈥檚 handling of the conflict say it鈥檚 extremely or very important for the US to help negotiate a permanent ceasefire.
The poll also shows about half of US adults are extremely or very concerned that the latest war between Israel and Hamas will lead to a broader conflict in the Middle East.
About half have heard 鈥渁 lot鈥� or 鈥渟ome鈥� about the airstrikes from the United States and British militaries against Yemen鈥檚 Houthi rebels. About 4 in 10 US adults approve of the airstrikes, including about 6 in 10 of those who say they鈥檝e heard a lot or some about them. About an additional 4 in 10 say they neither approve nor disapprove, and about 1 in 10 disapprove.
The poll shows 35 percent of US adults now describe Israel as an ally that shares US interests and values. That鈥檚 back in line with the views from before the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, after a brief increase in November to 44 percent.
Thirty-six percent of US adults say the US is not supportive enough of the Palestinians, up slightly from 31 percent December.
About 6 in 10 call recovering hostages being held by Hamas an important US priority, but only about 3 in 10 say it鈥檚 highly important to provide aid to Israel鈥檚 military to fight Hamas.
A similar share of US adults say that about negotiating the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
鈥淚f Hamas were in charge, absolutely not,鈥� Milor said on the subject of an independent Palestinian nation. He said he worried that any Palestinian state would become a base for broader attacks.
But Morales, the woman from northwest New Jersey, said Palestinians should have a safe state, or at least a safe community.
鈥淓veryone deserves a safe space where they can just be. Without interference because of who they are,鈥� she said.