POLL: Majority of Americans are against deploying U.S. troops to defend Israel

08/14/2024 / By Laura Harris

A recent Chicago Council on Global Affairs poll has revealed that majority Americans are against using military force to defend Israel in case Iran or other hostile neighbors attack the country.

According to the poll, conducted from June 21 to July 1, 2024, only 42 percent of Americans support deploying United States troops to Israel if attacked by Iran, while a significant 56 percent oppose such action. The partisan breakdown shows 53 percent of Republican voters, 42 percent of independent voters and 34 percent of Democrat voters were in favor of defending Israel against Iran.

The poll also indicates a similar sentiment concerning attacks from other neighboring countries. A majority of 55 percent of Americans are against intervening militarily in defense of Israel, with only 41 percent in support. Within this context, 55 percent of Republican voters, 35 percent of independent voters and 35 percent of Democrat voters back the use of American troops to defend Israel if attacked by its hostile neighbors.

The situation between Israel and Iran has intensified following an alleged Israeli-organized assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh while he was in Tehran attending the inauguration of Iran’s new reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.

This incident has further strained the already volatile relationship between Israel and Iran. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group widely regarded as an Iranian proxy, has increased its rocket attacks on Israel’s northern border, exacerbating fears of a broader conflict. (Related: Former Israeli PM threatens U.S. will get “a re-run of 9/11” if it doesn’t fight Israel’s wars.)

Given the current situation, many believe that U.S. intervention would only exacerbate issues in the Middle East.

Gallup polls: Americans disapprove of Israeli military action in Gaza

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs poll reflects a previous Gallup poll, conducted in March, wherein 55 percent of Americans disapproved of Israeli military action in Gaza. All this, despite backing their military actions in November.

Just like the new poll, the Gallup survey revealed a significant shift in opinion among the major political groups in the U.S. All three groups have shown decreased support for Israel’s actions in Gaza since November. Approval among Democrats and independents has dropped by 18 percentage points, while Republican support has dropped by seven points.

Independents have moved from a divided stance to a clear opposition to Israeli military actions. Democrats, who were largely opposed in November, now show even stronger disapproval, with 75 percent disapproving and only 18 percent approving. While Republicans continue to support Israel’s military efforts, the majority has decreased from 71 percent to 64 percent.

A Gallup poll conducted in February also revealed the same – that Americans held less positive views of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

At the time of the survey, only 58 percent of Americans showed a “very” or “mostly favorable” view of Israel, a stark decrease from 68 percent in 2023. This marks the lowest favorable rating for Israel in over two decades. Meanwhile, positive opinions of the Palestinian Authority also plummeted from 26 percent to 18 percent, the lowest since 2015.

The most significant decline in favorable opinions of Israel was seen among young adults aged 18 to 34, whose positive views have dropped from 64 percent in 2023 to 38 percent this year. Positive views from middle-aged adults (35-54 years old) have also declined from 66 percent to 55 percent, while opinions among adults aged 55 and older have remained relatively stable.

Meanwhile, opinions of the Palestinian Authority have remained largely unchanged among younger and older adults but have seen a sharp decline among middle-aged adults, from 30 percent to 15 percent.

Watch this Oct. 16 episode of “Brighteon Broadcast News” as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the devastating consequences to the global economy of Israel’s war on Gaza.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.