NEW YORK, 01 Oct. - (ANA)- The Israeli government now has less American public support, a poll by The New York Times has shown, after nearly two years of war in Gaza.

 

US support for Israel's government and its war in Gaza has dropped sharply, a new poll has found, as Israel’s military onslaught in the Palestinian enclave approaches its two-year mark.

 

The survey, conducted by The New York Times and Siena University, shows that for the first time since polling began in 1998, more Americans sympathise with Palestinians than with Israel.

 

According to the results, 35 percent of respondents said they sympathise with Palestinians, compared to 34 percent who back Israel. Another 31 percent said they were unsure.

 

This marks a dramatic shift from October 2023, in the aftermath of 7 October attacks, when 20 percent sided with Palestinians and 47 percent supported Israel.

 

Nearly six in 10 voters said Israel should halt its military campaign in Gaza, even if captives are not released and Hamas remains in power.

 

Israel's war has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians since October 2023. A starvation campaign driven by Israel’s siege of the enclave, alongside the targeting of civilians seeking aid, has worsened the humanitarian crisis and driven the death toll higher.

 

Around 40 percent of respondents said they believe Israel is intentionally killing Palestinians - almost double the figure recorded in 2023. The shift follows a recent UN inquiry that concluded Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people, echoing warnings made for months by Palestinians and human rights groups.

 

The share of those who believe Israel is not intentionally killing Palestinians dropped from 21 percent in 2023 to 16 percent this year.

 

On US assistance to Israel, 51 percent of Americans said they oppose economic and military support, while 39 percent said they were in favour. Despite protests across the US, Washington has continued to provide billions of dollars in military aid since the war began. Israel has been the largest recipient of US foreign aid since its establishment in 1948.

 

Younger voters were among the most likely to oppose US support for Israel, with about seven in 10 under the age of 30 expressing that view.

 

The poll also highlights a sharp decline in support for Israel among Democrats, while Republican support has fallen slightly but remains strong.

 

Among Democrats, 54 percent now say they back Palestinians, compared to just 13 percent who support Israel. In 2023, Democratic voters were evenly split.

 

Republicans continue to overwhelmingly support Israel, with 64 percent sympathising with the country and seven in 10 backing US economic and military aid. However, that figure is down from 76 percent in 2023.

 

The poll was conducted between 22 and 27 September, surveying 1,313 voters with a margin of error of 3.2 percent.

 

Despite the shift in public opinion, President Donald Trump’s administration continues to provide financial and diplomatic backing to Israel, even as global criticism and isolation deepen. Trump has insisted the war must end and recently unveiled a "peace plan" but Palestinian groups have dismissed it as skewed toward Israeli interests.   - (ANA) - 

 

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