AP-NORC poll finds Democrats and Republicans split on Israel’s responsibility for war’s escalation

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many American voters are concerned that nan ongoing Middle East conflict will escalate into an all-out location war, a caller canvass finds. About half of voters are “extremely” aliases “very” worried astir nan anticipation of a broader warfare successful nan region.

Though location is interest astir nan conflict growing, according to nan study from nan AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, less voters — astir 4 successful 10 — are concerned that nan United States will beryllium drawn into a warfare successful nan Middle East. This canvass was conducted anterior to Israel’s onslaught connected subject bases successful Iran connected Friday.

The conflict successful nan Middle East has go a awesome run rumor arsenic erstwhile President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris attempt to triumph complete Muslim and Jewish voters successful battleground states for illustration Michigan and Pennsylvania. And though Democrats and Republicans are likewise worried astir nan imaginable for nan warfare to expand, they disagree astir who is to blasted for its caller escalation and really nan U.S. should beryllium progressive going forward.

Partisan disagreement connected Israeli government’s level of responsibility

About 6 successful 10 voters opportunity nan Palestinian militant group Hamas, nan Iranian authorities and nan Lebanese militant group Hezbollah person “a lot” of work for nan escalation of nan warfare successful nan Middle East. Roughly 4 successful 10 voters deliberation nan Israeli authorities has “a lot” of responsibility, and only astir 2 successful 10 opportunity nan U.S. authorities has “a lot” of responsibility.

But there’s a large partisan divided connected whether nan Israeli authorities bears “a lot” of work for nan war’s escalation. About 6 successful 10 Democrats opportunity they do — akin to nan stock of Democrats who opportunity Hamas bears “a lot” of work — while only astir one-quarter of Republicans opportunity nan Israeli authorities bears “a lot” of responsibility.

Voters support Iran sanctions, but not sending US troops

Voters broadly support economical sanctions connected Iran, which could inhibit support to its proxy groups Hezbollah successful Lebanon and Hamas successful Gaza. A majority, 55%, are successful favour of imposing sanctions. They are astir evenly divided connected whether nan U.S. should beryllium providing weapons to Israel’s military, and voters are much apt to reason sending authorities costs to assistance Israel’s subject than to support it.

Deploying U.S. troops to assistance Israel’s subject garners small support among voters, sloppy of their partisan affiliation. About half of voters reason deploying U.S. troops to assistance Israel’s military. Only astir 2 successful 10 voters favour deploying U.S. troops to assistance Israel, and a akin stock person a neutral view.

Many deliberation nan US is doing what it tin connected cease-fire efforts

The U.S. is still pressing for any activity connected short-term cease-fire proposals, contempt letdowns successful nan past and little anticipation of contiguous breakthroughs up of nan election.

About half of voters deliberation nan U.S. is doing “about arsenic overmuch arsenic it can” to push for a cease-fire statement betwixt Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, while 3 successful 10 opportunity it could beryllium doing more. Roughly 2 successful 10 voters opportunity nan U.S. should beryllium doing less.

Republicans are much apt than Democrats to want little U.S. engagement successful cease-fire efforts. About 3 successful 10 Republicans opportunity nan U.S. should do less, compared to astir 1 successful 10 Democrats. About 6 successful 10 Democrats opportunity nan U.S. is doing what it can, compared to astir 4 successful 10 Republicans.

Democrats, Republicans and independents are astir arsenic apt to opportunity nan U.S. could beryllium doing more.

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The canvass of 1,072 adults was conducted Oct. 11-14, 2024, utilizing a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to beryllium typical of nan U.S. population. The separator of sampling correction for registered voters is positive aliases minus 4.2 percent points.