The Media Line: Most Americans Back Israel Over Hamas, but Support Drops Sharply Among Younger Adults

Most Americans Back Israel Over Hamas, but Support Drops Sharply Among Younger Adults

By The Media Line Staff  

Most Americans support Israel over Hamas, but younger voters are more divided, with barely a majority of adults aged 24 and younger favoring Israel over the terror group, according to a Harvard CAPS Harris poll conducted April 23–26 among 2,745 registered voters.  

The survey found that 74% of respondents backed Israel over Hamas, including 86% of Republicans, 66% of Democrats, and 68% of independents. Support for Israel increased with age, reaching 89% among those 65 and older. Among younger respondents, 54% of those aged 18 to 24 and 60% of those aged 25 to 34 supported Israel, indicating comparatively lower support levels.  

Israel was viewed more favorably than other regional actors. The poll reported that 41% of voters saw Israel favorably, compared with 36% who viewed it unfavorably. In contrast, Hamas, Iran, and the Palestinian Authority received favorable ratings of 9%, 12%, and 16%, respectively, while 59%, 65%, and 44% viewed them unfavorably.  

When asked about Hamas and similar groups on Israel’s borders, 76% of respondents identified them as terrorist organizations, including 70% of Democrats, 83% of Republicans, and 75% of independents. Among those aged 18 to 24, 60% shared that view, compared with 90% of respondents 65 and older.  

Perceptions of motivations varied. Forty-three percent said such groups were trying to destroy Israel, 23% believed they aimed to expand territory, and 34% said they were fighting for their rights. Among Democrats, 48% said these groups were seeking more rights, a view also more common among voters aged 18 to 44.  

The poll also found that 67% of respondents were closely following the war involving Israel, the US, and Iran, and one in five cited it as their top concern after domestic issues.  

On Iran, 65% described it as a national security threat to the US, and 67% said its leadership has contributed to instability, terrorism, and war in the region. Seventy-four percent said it was in US interests to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.  

Support for military action was narrower, with 52% backing strikes on Iran and 54% saying such action would be justified. A plurality of 43% said the war should stop now, while 34% supported continuing it.  

The survey reported a margin of error of 1.87 with a 95% confidence level. 

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