Majority of Americans disapprove of Israel's military action in Gaza, new poll shows

American sentiment has significantly shifted against Israel's conduct in the war on Gaza, with 55 percent disapproving of Israel's actions, compared to 36 percent who approve, a new poll shows. 

According to the Gallup poll, which shows the results from a survey done from 1 to 20 March, approval ratings have plummeted since November 2023. During that time, 50 percent of Americans approved of Israel's military actions in Gaza and 45 percent disapproved.

Since the Hamas-led 7 October attack on southern Israel and the subsequent war on Gaza, more than 90 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced and at least 32,000 have been killed, with them being mostly women and children.

According to Gallup, 74 percent of Americans say they are following news of the Israel-Palestine war closely, similar to the 72 percent the company measured in November. 

From those who approved Israel's actions, 43 percent said they were following the news "very closely", while from those who disapproved of Israel's actions, 55 percent said they were following it "very closely".

"As the Israel-Hamas war drags on, US support for its ally’s actions in the war is slipping," Gallup said. "Although Americans rate Biden's handling of the conflict poorly, his overall job approval rating is no lower now than before the conflict began."

"It could hurt the president by dampening turnout among would-be Biden voters who care deeply about the issue and are upset with his handling of the situation."

According to Gallup, support for Israel's actions in Gaza has waned across all three major political groups in the US since November, with Democrats and Independents each showing an 18 percentage point drop in approval, and Republicans experiencing a seven-point decrease.

Previously split, Independents now largely oppose the Israeli military actions. Democrats, who were predominantly against it in November, have intensified their opposition, with approval falling to 18 percent and disapproval rising to 75 percent.

Although Republicans continue to back Israel's military initiatives, their support has diminished, with approval decreasing to 64 percent from 71 percent, the poll shows.

On Wednesday, a State Department official resigned in protest against the Biden administration’s support for Israel, saying it had made her job promoting human rights “almost impossible”.

Annelle Sheline, 38, resigned midway through her two-year contract with the US Department of State as a foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

“My colleagues and I watched in horror as this administration delivered thousands of precision-guided munitions, bombs, small arms and other lethal aid to Israel….We are appalled by the administration’s flagrant disregard for American laws," Sheline said.

Ceasefire resolution

On Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza for the remainder of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, after the United States abstained from the vote and declined to veto it.

The resolution also called for the release of all Israeli captives held in Gaza and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into the besieged enclave.

The US has been floating a Gaza ceasefire resolution since February as a way to pressure Israel, with Washington increasingly frustrated by what Biden has labelled Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza and failure to craft a post-war plan for the besieged enclave which the UN has warned is on the brink of famine.

A recent UN-backed report warned that famine was imminent in northern Gaza, a crisis many have accused Israel of causing by using starvation as a weapon of war.