Foreign Policy Matters: Americans Divided over Gaza

American Public Divided over US Approach to Israel’s War in Gaza 

With the Israel-Hamas war now in its sixth month, a recent Chicago Council on Global Affairs-Ipsos survey finds Americans are split over how the United States should respond to Israel's continued military action in Gaza. Four in 10 say Washington should exert diplomatic pressure (14%) on Israel or restrict military aid to the country (26%), but 23 percent say the United States should not pressure Israel at all. 

At the same time, a large percentage of those polled report they haven’t heard enough to weigh in on the best course of action (36%). A similar trend appeared throughout the survey, with 25 percent or more of respondents declining to give an opinion on each question about the Israel-Hamas war. 

Read the full report.

The Data Dimension

Americans are also somewhat divided when it comes to their views of Benyamin Netanyahu. While more than half of Republicans say they have a favorable opinion of the Israeli prime minister (57%), only 23 percent of Independents and just 17 percent of Democrats say the same as of March 2024. 

What We're Watching

• Generation Putin: Although a plurality of young Russians say they are anxious about their country’s political future, joint Council-Levada Center polling finds few vote or participate politically. 
• US-Japan state visit: As US President Joe Biden hosts Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit this week, Council polling offers insights into what Americans think of the alliance.
• Democratic divides on immigration: Council data show significant differences between moderate and liberal Democrats on immigration levels and from which countries to accept immigrants. 
• Great-power competition: Join the Council for a conversation with journalist David Sanger on his new book, New Cold Wars, and the struggle between the US, Russia, and China for global influence. 

Ask an Expert

How can NATO help Ukraine secure its future? 

“The first step is to clarify the reforms Ukraine must complete and the conditions that need to prevail on the ground before it can join the alliance. Second, NATO needs to take over the coordination of military assistance provided by the 50-plus-nation coalition and help Ukraine build a modern, interoperable military. Finally, NATO leaders need to step up their support for Ukraine’s defense by supplying advanced weapons, such as long-range missiles, that some NATO members have been reluctant to provide.” 

—Council CEO Ivo Daalder and Karen Donfried in Foreign Affairs