NEW YORK, Oct 23 (APP): Most Americans, including 80 percent of Democrats and 41% of Republicans, think the United States should recognize Palestinian statehood, as a fragile ceasefire holds following two years of Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The poll also found that 60% of respondents view Israel’s Gaza response as excessive.
Out of those polled, 59 percent supported the U.S. recognizing statehood, while 33 percent were opposed. The rest of the respondents were not sure or did not have an answer.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents not registered to either major party support the U.S. backing a Palestinian state, whereas 28 percent do not.
Welcoming the new poll, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, Thursday called on Democratic and Republican elected officials to listen to their constituents instead of anti-Palestinian lobby groups after a majority of that voters support US recognition of Palestinian statehood.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad said:
“Polls have consistently shown that the American people oppose unconditional aid to the Israeli government and recognize the Gaza genocide as a genocide. Now a trusted poll shows that most Americans, including nearly half of Republicans, support the U.S. recognizing a Palestinian state.
“Now that the Israeli government has repeatedly made it clear that it will never allow a Palestinian state, it’s time for Democratic and Republican leaders to put America first, listen to the American people and prioritize American interests over the demands of anti-Palestinian lobby groups by joining most of the world in recognizing the State of Palestine.”
Also, should peace efforts continue to be successful, 51 percent of Americans in the survey think President Donald Trump deserves the credit, according to the poll. Among Republicans, 83 percent think Trump deserves the credit. Democrats are much less supportive of giving him credit, at 25 percent.
While several of its allies have expressed support for a Palestinian state, the U.S. has staunchly backed Israel throughout the duration of its war with Hamas across the Biden and Trump administrations.
Last week, Trump said “we’ll have to see” about a two-state solution between Israel and Gaza.
“A lot of people like the one-state solution,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Some people like the two-state solution. We’ll have to see. I haven’t commented on that.”
Vice President J D Vance went to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to oversee the continuation of the ceasefire. Vance said officials were discussing the formation of an international security force to govern Gaza.