Fewer Americans sympathetic toward Israel: Gallup

Americans are becoming less sympathetic toward Israel in its war against Hamas, the results of a recent survey suggest.

A Gallup poll released Thursday shows 46 percent of respondents said they back Israel over the Palestinians when it comes to the "Middle East situation." Another 33 percent said the opposite.

A similar survey conducted in February 2024 found 51 percent of respondents backed Israel in the conflict — showing a 5-point drop in support over the last year. That number was the lowest it had been since 2001, per Gallup.

The latest numbers come more than a year after Hamas's initial attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza and led to the deaths of about 1,200 people. More than 250 people were also taken captive — though many have been released during ceasefire exchanges. In its subsequent counterattack, Israel has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to local officials.

In February 2023, months before the Oct. 7 attack, 54 percent of survey respondents told Gallup that their sympathies lie more with Israel than Palestine in its fight over land, including the Gaza Strip.

President Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas on Wednesday, willing the U.S.-designated terrorist group to release the remaining hostages "immediately." The White House has also opened direct negotiations with the organization.

“’Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose," the president wrote on Truth Social. "Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you."

He added, "Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”

Hamas has seemingly brushed off the threat, according to The Associated Press.

The Gallup poll took place Feb. 3-16, featuring 1,004 adults. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

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