New poll of US voters finds overwhelming support for Israel over Hamas in Gaza war

67% of survey respondents say there should only be a ceasefire if all hostages are freed and the Gaza-ruling terror group is removed from power — Israel’s key aims in the war

By TOI STAFF JAN 24/24

Flags displaying a message of American-Israeli solidarity are displayed at a rally and vigil marking 30 days since the Hamas-led terror onslaught, in New York, November 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

A new Harvard CAPS-Harris poll published this week of over 2,300 registered US voters found overwhelming support for Israel over Hamas in the ongoing war, triggered by the terror group’s October 7 murderous rampage.

In the poll, 83 percent of respondents said October 7 was a terror attack, while 17% said it was not. Broken down by age group, 94% of respondents aged over 65 said the attack — in which some 1,200 people were killed and 253 were taken hostage — was terrorism, while 74% of those aged 18-24 said the same.

In addition, 74% of respondents said Hamas’s attack was genocidal and 75% of all respondents said the assault could not be justified by Palestinian grievances. These answers varied widely by age group, with younger Americans less favorable to Israel. Some 54% of respondents aged 18-24 said the attacks were not justified, compared to 78% among participants aged 45-54, 87% of those aged 54-65, and 92% of those aged over 65.

Eighty percent of all respondents also said they support Israel more over Hamas, including 57% among those aged 18-24, about 70% for those aged 25-44, 80% of 45-54 year olds, 90% of those 54-65, and 93% of those over 65.

Most respondents, 69%, said Israel was trying to avoid civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, and 66% said Israel was just trying to defend itself. Some 34% said they believe Israel was “committing genocide” in Gaza and not acting in self-defense, a figure that jumped to 57% between those aged 18-24 and 50% among the 25-34 years-old bracket.

Some 74% of total respondents also said Hamas would like to commit genocide against Jews in Israel.

Overall, 67% of respondents said a ceasefire should only happen if the hostages are released and Hamas is removed from power in Gaza — Israel’s key aims in the war.

Troops operating in the Gaza Strip in an undated photo released on January 23, 2024 (Israel Defense Forces)

The survey asked if respondents had a favorable or negative view of Israel, with 52% saying the former and 28% the latter, versus 12% and 67% respectively for Hamas. Poll participants did not give high marks to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, which the Biden administration and much of the international community is pushing to govern Gaza after the war, with 17% approving and 50% disapproving.

A plurality of respondents — 39% — said post-war Gaza should be administered by a new entity set up through negotiations with Arab states, followed by 31% who said the Palestinian Authority and 30% who said Israel.

The poll also asked if they approved of US President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with 39% giving him favorable remarks, down six percent from late November.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US President Joe Biden in Tel Aviv, October 18, 2023. (Miriam Alster/ Flash90)The poll was conducted among 2,346 registered US voters on January 17 and 18. The margin of error was not immediately available.

Other recent surveys have similarly recorded far-reaching support for Israel among Americans, including a poll released earlier this month that found a record number of Americans do not believe Israel is getting sufficient US backing.

pELONI. New Harvard-Harris poll finds American people squarely behind Israel in the war against Hamas and the Iran-led resistance axis:

– 84% think US should increase strikes against Houthis if they keep attacking foreign vessels
– 83% say 10/7 a terrorist attack
– 80% support Israel in Gaza war
– 79% say Hamas cannot be allowed to run Gaza
– 77% say Houthis are a terrorist group
– 76% say Iran is behind Hamas
– 75% say the 10/7 attack was unjustifiable
– 74% believe Hamas aims to commit genocide
– 74% say Iran is behind Houthis
– 69% say Israel is trying to avoid civilian casualties
– 65% say Biden’s Iran policy has been unsuccessful

Americans are neither stupid nor misled by the silly rhetoric of their govt, but they don’t currently control their govt. Hopefully, consent of the governed will return the wisdom of the people to once choose better leadership and provide the world a source of stability rather than the chaos which comes with having no regard for the will of the people, as now exists in the US halls of power.

January 24, 2024 | 2 Comments »

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  1. “Why this Upper East Side doctor is offering free plastic surgery to victims of antisemitism”
    By Julia Gergely February 5, 2024 12:58 pm

    https://www.jta.org/2024/02/05/ny/why-this-upper-east-side-doctor-is-offering-free-plastic-surgery-to-victims-of-antisemitism

    “(New York Jewish Week) — In the three months since he started offering free plastic surgery to victims of antisemitic hate crimes or anyone affected by Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Upper East Side plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky has performed one nose job, been asked to remove a tattoo and counseled the victim of an antisemitic assault in New York.

    And while these aren’t quite the kinds of cases he anticipated after making the offer in November, the Jewish doctor, who boasts a significant social media following, said he hasn’t regretted his offer.

    “It’s been very fulfilling and it helps give me purpose and meaning,” Savetsky, 40, told the New York Jewish Week. “That’s sort of why I became a doctor in the first place.”

    “We’re in a time where we feel somewhat helpless, where the IDF is fighting a physical war and we’re sort of here, abroad, finding oftentimes a different version of the same war — whether it be on social media or whether it be confronting people that are ripping down hostage signs,” Savetsky explained. “Those are situations that sometimes could, unfortunately, turn into something violent.”

    Savetsky and his wife Lizzy are both well-known Jewish influencers on social media; Ira has some 50,000 followers on Instagram while Lizzy has 350,000. The couple first made headlines in the summer of 2022 when Lizzy was cast in season 14 of “The Real Housewives of New York” and then abruptly backed out, citing a “torrent of antisemitism.”

    Lizzy Savetsky, who once told us she was an “accidental activist,” first became prominent online for her fashion and lifestyle content. But in recent years, she and Ira have become increasingly known for their efforts to promote Zionism and fight antisemitism, something they have leaned into even further in the months following Oct. 7. In their content, the Savetskys often spotlight their children Stella, 11, Juliet, 9 and Ollie, 3, in their advocacy. In one video, posted Nov. 13, shows a forlorn-looking Stella and Juliet standing in Washington Square Park holding a sign that reads: “We are Jewish. We are all hurting. Can we give you a hug?”

    Ira Savetsky, who has operated his uptown practice for two years, was inspired to offer free surgeries after meeting a 19-year-old New Yorker named Rafi who had been punched in the face multiple times one Sunday evening shortly after Oct. 7, after a passerby on the Lower East Side asked if he was Jewish and he responded affirmatively.

    “He just immediately attacked me, punching me in the face four or five times and then he knocked me over,” Rafi told the New York Jewish Week. His nose was bruised and bloody and he was worried it was broken. Rafi reached out to a childhood friend, whose father is Jewish radio host Sidney Rosenberg, who put out a call for help on his social media. Savetsky saw the posts and offered to help Rafi free of charge.

    Savetsky ultimately determined that Rafi didn’t need surgery. Nonetheless, the teen called Savetsky’s help “a blessing,” adding, “I just never thought that being Jewish would be enough reason to get attacked.”

    But Rafi’s story sparked something in Savetsky, who decided to offer his expertise to others who may be hurting. “If you know someone who has experienced a hate crime and requires plastic or reconstructive surgery, please contact my office,” he posted on Instagram Nov. 3. “These services will be free of charge. Let’s stand together and stay safe and resilient, everyone. Am Yisroel Chai.”

    —-
    Heartwarming. Bravo. But, sorry, I can’t resist. The opening paragraph which says that in the three months since he has made this offer he , “…has performed one nose job, been asked to remove a tattoo…”

    reminds me of the joke, I often have had occasion to use lately,

    “Doctor, will I be able to play the violin after this surgery?”
    “Why, of course, you will.”
    “Awesome! You know, I’ve always wanted to play the violin.”

    😀