A growing number of Americans are saying they sympathize with the cause of the Palestinians, with a new poll showing a plurality of Democrats are siding with them, a higher percentage than either Republicans or independent voters.
A poll from Quinnipiac University found that 41% of Democratic voters say their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, while 34% lean toward Israel and 25% are undecided.
Independent voters are more divided when it comes to approving of Israel‘s response to the attack, with 44% disapproving and 40% approving. Democrats are more likely to disapprove, with 60% disapproving and 27% approving of the response. An overwhelming majority of Republicans, 73%, approve of the response, while 18% disapprove.
An overwhelming majority of voters, 72%, found Hamas responsible for the outbreak of violence in the Middle East, regardless of their feelings towards the Israelis and the Palestinians, while 14% say Israel is more responsible.
The latest Israel-Hamas conflict is stretching into its second month, and the results show the changing opinions as the war rages on. In Quinnipiac‘s October poll, 48% of Democrats said they were more sympathetic to the Israelis and 22% leaned toward the Palestinians.
Younger Americans are more likely to sympathize with the Palestinians, with 52% of those surveyed between 18 and 35 saying their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, while 29% sympathize with Israel.
Similarly, younger Americans are more likely to disapprove of the way Israel is responding to the terrorist attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. The poll found that 66% of those ages 18 to 34 disapprove of Israel‘s military response, while 20% approve. Those surveyed in the oldest age range — 65 and older — were more likely to approve of Israel‘s response, with 57% saying they approve and 32% saying they disapprove.
The poll, taken Nov. 9-13, surveyed 1,574 registered voters nationally. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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