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What do Americans think about the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

"Israel continues to have the support of a majority of Americans but the Democratic Party shows significant fissures as half see Israel as responsible for the recent violence in the Mideast"
Fire and smoke rise above buildings in Gaza City as Israeli warplanes target a governmental building, early on May 18, 2021 in Gaza City, Gaza. (Photo by Fatima Shbair/Getty Images)

It’s difficult to get an objective check of the temperature on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Social media amplifies voices on the extremes, the media reports and moves on, and we are all left wondering what everyone else is thinking.

Released this week was a Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey which asked 1,945 registered voters between May 19th to 20th (while Israel and Hamas were still fighting) their thoughts on the conflict.

“Israel continues to have the support of a majority of Americans but the Democratic Party shows significant fissures as half see Israel as responsible for the recent violence in the Mideast,” said Mark Penn, the director of the Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey. “When asked whether Israel has a right to defend itself, however, large majorities said it does and rejected any language of calling Israel and apartheid stage. Biden is seen as having a pro-Israel position and has the support of most Americans.” 

The Hill

Here are four other takeaways from the survey

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