WASHINGTON
— On Friday, a published study
showed that half of American adults believe
that
Israel has gone too far in its war on Gaza, Khaberni reported.
اضافة اعلان
According to a new poll, support for Israel
and the Biden administration's handling of the situation is ebbing slightly
further across the board. The poll shows 31 percent of US adults approve of
Biden's handling of the conflict, including just 46 percent of Democrats.
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 three-year-old
boy.
“I just cannot even imagine, like, my son
roaming the streets, wanting to be safe. Wanting his mom. Or just wanting
someone to get him,” she said.
Israel’s offensive has gone too far, Morales
says, and so has the
Biden administration’s support for it.
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 being women and children. The Biden administration
says it is pressing Israel to reduce its killing of civilians and allow in more
humanitarian aid.
“These kids ... they are needing the end of
this,” Morales said. "It is such an unfair fight."
John Milor, a cybersecurity expert in Clovis,
California, who describes himself as a Republican-voting independent, says he
remains “100 percent” 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 shocked when the man's stepson denounced Israelis as “warmongers.”
The poll shows that 33 percent of Republicans
now say that the
Israeli Occupation Forces (
IOF) response has gone too far, up
from 18 percent in November. 52 percent of independents say that, up from 39
percent. 62 percent of Democrats say they feel that way, roughly the same
majority as in November.
In all, 50 percent of US adults now believe
the IOF’s offensive has gone beyond what it should have, the poll found. That
is up from 40 percent in a poll conducted in November.
The new poll was conducted from January 25 to
28. Its findings include more worrying news for
US 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 is going
to win a second term unhappy with his handling of the conflict.
About six in 10 non-white Democrats disapprove
of how Biden is approaching the conflict, while about half of white Democrats
approve.
Notably, about seven in 10 Democrats under 45
disapprove. That is the opposite of the attitude of older Democrats, among whom
nearly six 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's air and ground offensive goes
on, Jackson's thoughts turn to finding the best way to phase down US support
for it, she says.
“At first I was very supportive because I did
believe they needed some type of help,” Jackson said.
“But yes, as it goes on, I do become more
worried," she said. That includes worrying a new leader will take office
here, and phase down support for Israel too abruptly, she says.
About seven in 10 of the
Democrats who disapprove of Biden's handling of the conflict say it is 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 “a lot” or “some” about
the airstrikes from the
US and British militaries against Yemen’s Houthi group.
About four in 10 US adults approve of the airstrikes, including about six in 10
of those who say they have heard a lot or some about them. About an additional
four in 10 say they neither approve nor disapprove, and about one in 10
disapprove.
The poll shows that 35 percent of US adults
now describe Israel as an ally that shares US interests and values.
Thirty-six percent of US adults say the US is
not supportive enough of the Palestinians, up slightly from 31 percent in
December.
About six in 10 call recovering Israeli
captives an important US priority, but only about three in 10 say it is highly
important to provide aid to the
IOF to fight Hamas.
A similar share of US adults says that about
negotiating the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
“Everyone deserves a safe space where they can
just be. Without interference because of who they are,” she said.
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