Americans broadly support Israel but some back Hamas

Americans across the political spectrum remain broadly supportive of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, according to the most recent Harvard-Harris poll, but opinions about the war are split according to age, with many young Americans declaring support for Hamas.

The overwhelming majority (91%) of Americans are following the war, and 64% say they are following it closely. A majority of both Democrats and Republicans support the US providing military aid to Israel – this consistency is in contrast to opinions about funding for Ukraine, which are sharply divided along party lines.

A large majority (79%) of American voters say they support Israel more than Hamas, but a fifth support Hamas over Israel, including about 36% of those 18-34.

Of the 18-24 group, 57% support an immediate ceasefire that would leave everyone in place, including Israeli hostages, while 43% of respondents that age say a ceasefire should happen only after the release of all hostages and Hamas’s removal from power.

For those 25-44, opinions on an immediate ceasefire are split, while a clear majority of those 45 and above believe a ceasefire should only happen once hostages are returned and Hamas is removed.

Asked who was more to blame for creating the crisis, Israel or Hamas, young people (18-44) were split almost evenly, while older respondents 45 and over, responded in clear majorities that Hamas was responsible.

Asked whether the terror group should be allowed to continue running Gaza, those 18-24 were split, with 46% saying the group should be allowed to.

Among those 25-34, however, a majority (about 62%) said Hamas must be removed; that belief was strongly pronounced among those 45-54, 83% of whom said the group should be removed.