Polling by Fox News has revealed that the majority of voters in the United States blame Hamas for the current conflict in the Middle East, and are continuing to side with the Israelis.
This poll was conducted shortly after the ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hamas, and just over half of voters said that they believed that Hamas’ actions were to blame for the recent war. Moreover, a large majority of voters, 79%, said that they supported the ceasefire and hoped for lasting peace.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been a highly contested and complex issue for decades, and this poll reveals some of the views of the American public on how the recent conflict has been dealt with.
The poll also revealed that over two-thirds of voters, 68%, also approve of the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict, while 18% said that they disapprove. Eighty-five percent of voters also said that they consider Israel to be an ally of the United States.
The poll also shows that there is a wide disparity in opinions between voters in different political parties. Nearly two-thirds of Democrats, 61%, blamed Hamas while only 22% of Republicans agreed. The majority of Republicans blamed both sides equally, while a larger majority of Democrats, 69%, said that they support the ceasefire but only 31% of Republicans did.
Finally, the poll showed that there is wide support among Americans, 87%, for establishing a Palestinian state if it meets certain criteria. These criteria include committing to peaceful coexistence with Israel, recognising Israel’s right to exist, and eliminating terrorist elements from within its borders.
The Fox News poll provides a valuable insight into the views of the American public regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. It reveals the collective view that Hamas holds responsibility for recent events, that the Biden administration has adopted the right attitude to the situation, and that peace is the desired outcome. At the same time, the poll reveals the stark political divide in opinions on the conflict, and the hope among voters for a lasting and safe resolution.