Support for more Israel military aid declines among Americans as Gaza war rages

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A narrow majority of Americans now oppose sending Israel additional military aid, a new poll has indicated amid a soaring death toll that is likely to soon reach a grim milestone.

Just 45% of Americans support sending Israel more arms while 46% are opposed, according to the survey from Quinnipac University. That is a significant decline from the last time the question was asked in November when the majority of respondents favored more assistance by a 54% to 39% margin.

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 in 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.

The death toll in Gaza is expected to soon surpass 20,000 amid a relentless Israeli bombing campaign and ground offensive that has led to rampant reports of rights abuses in the coastal enclave.

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