Biden Supports Israel. Does the Rest of America? | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the war between Israel and Hamas is examined through the lens of American sentiment. The New York Times conducted a poll to gauge public opinion on President Biden’s handling of the conflict and Israel’s role in the war against Hamas. The results reveal a divided nation, with mixed signals and differing viewpoints on Biden’s approach. This podcast explores the impact of the conflict on Biden’s approval ratings and the shifting attitudes of younger generations towards Israel.

Main Takeaways

Public Opinion on Biden’s Handling of the Conflict

• 57% of registered voters disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the conflict, while 33% approve.
• Disapproval reflects mixed signals, with 44% wanting the war to continue regardless of the hostages’ release, and 39% wanting Israel to press on until all hostages are released or Hamas is destroyed.
• Disapproval is divided within itself, with some believing Biden is too pro-Israel and others thinking he is not tough enough on Hamas.

Political Divide on Israel

• 93% of Republicans disapprove of Biden’s overall job performance, while 78% disapprove of his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Among Republicans, Israel is a more popular political entity, leading some to credit Biden for being perceived as pro-Israel.
• Democrats are more supportive of Biden’s handling of the war, with 8 out of 10 supporting his overall performance but just over half approving of his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Biden’s approach to the conflict is polling worse with Democrats than with Republicans.

Generational Shift in Views on Israel

• Young Democrats feel negatively about the war’s handling and Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
• Young voters who previously supported Biden are now leaning towards Trump, partly due to the conflict.
• Economic concerns still dominate public opinion, but the war in Gaza has impacted Biden’s approval among younger voters.
• Older voters are more approving of Biden’s handling of the conflict, posing a challenge for the President in terms of policy decisions.

Summary

A Divided Nation on Biden’s Handling of the Conflict

The New York Times poll reveals that 57% of registered voters disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while 33% approve. The disapproval reflects mixed signals, with some wanting the war to continue regardless of the hostages’ release, and others wanting Israel to press on until all hostages are released or Hamas is destroyed. This division within the disapproval is further manifested in differing opinions on Biden’s stance towards Israel and Hamas.

The Political Divide on Israel

Republicans overwhelmingly disapprove of Biden’s overall job performance and his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel is a more popular political entity among Republicans, leading some to credit Biden for being perceived as pro-Israel. On the other hand, Democrats show more support for Biden’s handling of the war, with a majority approving of his overall performance but only slightly over half approving of his handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This divide in opinion poses challenges for Biden as he navigates policy decisions.

Generational Shift in Views on Israel

Young Democrats express negative views on the war’s handling and Israel’s conduct in Gaza. This dissatisfaction has led some young voters who previously supported Biden to lean towards Trump, partly due to the conflict. While economic concerns remain dominant in public opinion, the war in Gaza has impacted Biden’s approval among younger voters. In contrast, older voters are more approving of Biden’s handling of the conflict, presenting a challenge for the President in balancing the views of different generations.

Conclusion

The war between Israel and Hamas has revealed a divided United States, with differing opinions on President Biden’s handling of the conflict. Republicans show strong disapproval of Biden’s overall job performance and his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while Democrats are more supportive but still divided in their approval. Younger generations express increasing skepticism and disapproval of Israel’s conduct, leading to potential shifts in the U.S.-Israel relationship in the future. As the conflict continues, Biden faces the challenge of balancing the approval of older and younger voters, while also considering the impact on U.S. support for Israel.