Staff Reports
The Economist/YouGov has released multiple polls that once again prove the lack of support for Israel among Democrats. It’s no surprise to Townhall readers, who have been updated on previous polls that showed the same trend. This recent poll clearly demonstrates that the majority of Republicans stand firmly behind Israel, while Democrats are divided on the issue.
New Poll Makes It Clear Which Party Supports Israelhttps://t.co/TUwCRBtJUd
— Mawya Israr (@MawyaIsrar) November 2, 2023
When asked about their sympathies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 40 percent of overall respondents and 45 percent of registered voters expressed support for Israel. However, it’s important to note that the question oversimplifies the situation by pitting Israelis against Palestinians without acknowledging Hamas’ hold in Gaza. Luckily, other questions asked about Hamas in the context of their war against Israel.
The partisan divide becomes apparent when it comes to providing aid to Israel. Among overall respondents and registered voters, 47 percent and 46 percent, respectively, believe the United States should maintain the same military support for Israel. However, Democrats are split, with half wanting to maintain the aid and the other half unsure. In contrast, a solid 48 percent of Republicans believe we should provide more support to Israel.
The poll also addresses U.S. humanitarian support for Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Tricky question indeed, as 45 percent of Democrats think we should give more aid to Gaza. This is concerning, considering the fears that Hamas could divert the aid meant for civilians. Meanwhile, 49 percent of Republicans oppose additional support for Palestinians, with 42 percent advocating for less aid.
Opinions also vary on the perceived “harshness” of Israel’s response to the brutal attack from Hamas. A plurality of Democrats, at 33 percent, believe Israel’s response has been “too harsh,” while a plurality of Republicans, at 35 percent, think it has been “not harsh enough.” Once again, we witness the stark contrast between the parties.
The timing of the poll’s release is interesting, as President Biden called for a “pause” in response to a heckler demanding a “ceasefire” during his recent remarks in Minneapolis. It’s essential to note that Biden and his administration have been viewed favorably by Jewish respondents, as shown in a previous YouGov poll. However, this raises questions about the Jewish community’s allegiance to the Democratic party.
Surveys have indicated that Jews are more likely to identify as Democrats, with 50 percent of Jewish adults aligning with the party compared to 31 percent of the general population. It’s perplexing how a group so supportive of Israel can still rally behind a party that includes members like Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who consistently express anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiments.
This Economist/YouGov poll reinforces the divide between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to support for Israel. While Republicans stand firmly behind Israel, Democrats are divided on various aspects such as aid provision and the perceived “harshness” of Israel’s response. It’s a curious dichotomy that prompts questions about the Jewish community’s alignment with the Democratic party and their commitment to the welfare of Israel.
