Examining how Americans believe Israel and the U.S. should respond to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,400 Israelis.
Most Americans support Israel’s military campaign to destroy Hamas after the terrorist group killed more than 1,400 Israelis but are divided over the proper role of the United States in the conflict.
WHY IT MATTERS – This distinction could become a point of contention as the Israel-Hamas war continues, much like the issue of whether to continue to send arms and money to Ukraine.
HOW TO USE THIS DATA – Candidates and activists can use this information to understand what type of aid the American people will support and to identify wedge issues from the Left’s anti-Israel positions.
Click the image below to read the full report…or read the summary below.
Americans are closely following news of the Israel-Hamas war.
- 76% of Americans are closely following news of the war between Israel and Hamas, including 32% who are following it “very closely.”
- Men and older voters are more likely to be following the war “very closely” than voters overall.
- America’s New Majority and Left Minority voters are following news of the war with similar intensity.
Most Americans support Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist attack.
- 56% say Israel must do what is necessary to destroy Hamas, and Palestinian civilian casualties are the fault of Hamas, not Israel.
- 27% say civilian deaths are never acceptable, and that Israel should end any military operations that endanger Palestinian civilians.
- There is a large divide by age on this issue, with 73% of Boomer+ voters supporting Israel’s actions compared to just 23% of Gen Z voters.
- There is also a gender divide – 66% of male voters support Israel’s response compared to 47% of female voters.
- Opposing Israel’s response is a wedge issue – Left Minority voters are divided with 41% supporting Israel’s response and 40% opposing it.
- Meanwhile, America’s New Majority voters support Israel’s response 61%-22%.
Americans are divided over the goal of the United States.
- 43% say the goal of the United States should be to support Israel until they eliminate the Hamas threat, while 44% say it should be to end the war as soon as possible.
- There is a significant divide by party, age, gender, and race.
- 54% of Boomer+ voters say the U.S. goal should be to support Israel compared to 24% of Gen Z.
- 58% of Republicans say the U.S. goal should be to support Israel compared to 31% of Democrats.
- 53% of men say the U.S. goal should be to support Israel compared to 35% of women.
- 48% (a plurality) of whites say the U.S. goal should be to support Israel compared to 26% of Asians, 28% of Blacks, and 41% of Hispanics.
- America’s New Majority voter blocks are divided as well. 64% of those definitely voting Republican in 2024 say the U.S. goal should be to support Israel, compared to 45% of those leaning toward voting GOP, 25% of those who are undecided, and 38% of those voting Democrat.
Most favor U.S. providing intelligence and arms to help Israel but oppose using U.S. air and ground troops – unless it is to rescue American hostages.
- 71% of Americans favor aiding Israel with intelligence to help them eliminate the terrorist threat from Hamas.
- 54% of Americans favor aiding Israel with arms and intelligence.
- 34% favor aiding Israel with air support, arms, and intelligence.
- 13% favor aiding Israel with ground troops, air support, arms, and intelligence.
- Meanwhile, 71% support using U.S. ground troops to rescue American hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.