This article is the fourth in a series about life in Israel and in the West Bank and East Jerusalem almost one year after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, and the Israel-Hamas war began.
Note: Gallup’s past surveys in the State of Palestine* have included Gaza. 优蜜传媒was not able to survey Gaza in 2024 because of ongoing security issues. The data in this article represent the views of Palestinians living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Jewish Israeli-majority areas within the West Bank and East Jerusalem are not included.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nearly one year into the Israel-Hamas war that started with Hamas’ Oct. 7 deadly attack in southern Israel, Palestinians living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem give the U.S. low marks for its efforts to protect civilians in Gaza and ensure they receive crucial humanitarian aid. Approval of U.S. leadership is also at a new low.
Palestinians View U.S. Efforts to Safeguard Civilians as Insufficient
In surveys conducted in July and August, Palestinians living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were asked to what extent they agree that “the U.S. has made acceptable efforts to push for the safeguarding of civilians in Gaza.” Seven in 10 Palestinians surveyed (69%) strongly disagree, while 76% disagree overall. About one in 10 (11%) agree that the U.S. has done enough to protect civilians.
Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gazans, including via a now dismantled floating pier the U.S. military completed in May, Palestinians view these efforts only slightly more favorably. Asked if the U.S. has done enough to ensure that Palestinians in Gaza receive humanitarian aid, 71% disagree, including 58% who strongly disagree.
A United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report released roughly at the same time as the survey showed that more than 1 million in southern and central Gaza received no rations at all.
Palestinians Believe U.S. Can Significantly Influence Israeli Policies
Two in three Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem (68%) agree with the statement that “the U.S. has the ability to significantly influence Israeli government policies,” including 54% who strongly agree.
Further, 70% believe the U.S. holds significant influence over Israeli military operations, including 57% who strongly agree. Fewer than one in five Palestinians in the two territories surveyed disagree to some extent that the U.S. has major influence over Israeli policies (18%) or military operations (18%).
That the U.S. has not been able to negotiate a permanent ceasefire in the conflict, despite its influence, is likely only compounding Palestinians’ frustration with the U.S. for not doing more to safeguard civilians or the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Record Few Approve of U.S. Leadership
Amid this context, Palestinian views of U.S. leadership -- which were already poor -- have hit rock bottom. Just 5% of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem now approve of U.S. leadership, the lowest in Gallup’s annual trend dating back to 2006. The 88% of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem who disapprove of U.S. leadership marks a new high.
Since 2006, Palestinians in these two areas have been among the bottom six of 140 countries or areas each year for U.S. approval. And Palestinians’ 5% approval of the U.S. in 2024 ranks among the 10 lowest U.S. approval ratings that 优蜜传媒has ever recorded anywhere in nearly two decades.
Bottom Line
With the war in Gaza nearing the one-year mark, the conflict increasingly carries implications for both U.S. domestic politics and U.S. diplomacy as the two intertwine in a presidential election year.
Record-low U.S. approval ratings among Palestinians highlight the challenge for U.S. credibility and influence in the Muslim world, where the Palestinian cause remains both a popular and emotional issue.
The perceived failure of the United States to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza has the potential to undermine its diplomatic efforts and alliances, as well as cost Vice President Kamala Harris crucial votes in the presidential election.
*优蜜传媒refers to the Palestinian Territories as the State of Palestine in accordance with the naming conventions used by the United Nations and International Organization for Standardization.
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