Eight months into the Israel-Hamas conflict, a recent Fox News survey shows that the majority of voters continue to support the Israelis, although to a lesser extent than at the beginning of the war. The survey revealed that 57% of voters side with the Israelis, while 29% support the Palestinians. This marks a decrease from the 50-point lead the Israelis had at the start of the conflict in October 2023, where 68% supported Israel compared to 18% for Palestine.
The decline in support for Israel is evident across various demographic groups, with voters aged 65 and over, Democrats, nonwhite voters, and women showing the most significant decreases. Additionally, fewer voters now favor sending financial aid to the Israeli government for military support. In November 2023, 60% of voters supported sending funds, but that number has decreased to 52% in the latest survey.
Among those who view the Middle East conflict as extremely important to their vote in the upcoming elections, there is a preference for former President Trump over President Biden. However, the conflict ranks lower in importance compared to issues like the future of American democracy and the economy. Despite this, the conflict could still have implications in a close race, as demonstrated by the impact of lower tier issues in past elections.
In a hypothetical matchup, President Biden currently holds a slight edge over former President Trump, both in a two-way race and a five-way race including other candidates. Those who support the Israelis tend to favor Trump, while those who side with the Palestinians lean towards Biden. However, more voters disapprove of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with majorities of Republicans and Independents expressing dissatisfaction.
Overall, Biden’s job approval rating remains at 45%, with 55% disapproving. While there is some discontent on the left regarding Biden’s handling of the conflict, it does not seem to significantly impact his standing in the ballot test. However, continued conflict in the Middle East and other global issues could contribute to a perception that Biden has not delivered on promises of stability and normalcy.
The survey was conducted from June 14-17, 2024, and included interviews with 1,095 registered voters. The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points, and weights were applied to ensure demographic representation. The findings highlight the complex dynamics of public opinion on the Israel-Palestine conflict and its potential impact on the political landscape.
