Biden’s Approval on Response to Hamas Terrorist Attacks Declining Among Democrats, AP Poll Shows

A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that nearly half of Democrats disapprove of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, revealing a significant divide within the party over the war.

The poll indicates that 50% of Democrats approve of Biden’s approach to the conflict, while 46% disapprove. These two groups also differ in their views on U.S. support for Israel. Biden’s support among Democrats has dropped slightly since August, when an AP-NORC poll showed 57% of Democrats approved of his handling of the conflict and 40% disapproved.

The conflict has put Biden in a politically challenging position as he seeks to support Israeli sovereignty while also pressuring Israel to limit civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. The war may complicate Biden’s reelection efforts as he tries to balance conflicting views within his party on the conflict and responsibility for the war.

The poll found that the majority of Democrats who approve of Biden’s management of the conflict believe that the U.S. provides the right amount of support to Israel, while those who disapprove feel that the U.S. is too supportive of Israel.

Democrats’ opinions on Biden’s handling of the conflict differ based on age and race. Younger and nonwhite Democrats are more likely to disapprove, while older and white Democrats are more likely to approve.

The poll also highlights differing opinions on establishing an independent Palestinian state, with about 40% of Democrats overall supporting this idea. However, both Biden’s supporters and critics acknowledge the practical difficulties involved in reaching such an agreement.

The poll surveyed 1,239 adults from Nov. 2-6, 2023, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.