Support for more Israel military aid declines among Americans

WASHINGTON (AA) – A majority of Americans now oppose sending Israel additional military aid, results of a new poll show amid rising number of Palestinian deaths.

Just 45% of Americans support sending Israel more arms while 46% oppose it, according to the survey from Quinnipac University. That is a significant decline from the last time the question was asked in November when 54 percent respondents favored more assistance.

Major gaps remain on the issue based on age group, political affiliation and race.

A majority of Republicans — 65% — continue to support additional aid for Israel, but 58% of Democrats oppose it. Among Independents, there is also more opposition than support with 48% opposed and just 41% in support.

Support remains strongest among older Americans and white Americans. A majority of Latino and Black voters, and Americans aged 18-49 are opposed.

Support for Israel’s war on Gaza has also fallen to 43%, down three points from November, and those who said they sympathize more with Israel than Palestinians more generally fell to 49% from the 54% reported last month. The number who said they sympathize more with Palestinians has remained at just 24%.

Sympathies for Israel remain strongest among Republicans, compared to Democrats.

“There are shifting sentiments as the human losses mount and the Biden administration leans on Israel to lessen the impact on Palestinian civilians. While voters make it clear they have a personal stake in supporting Israel, they are less enthusiastic about fortifying its close ally’s arsenal,” Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said in a statement.

Israel has killed more than 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has also constrained humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza amid rampant shortages of food, shelter and clean water in the besieged territory.