In a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, it has been revealed that an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that Hamas is more responsible for the bloody conflict in Gaza than the Israeli government. With the poll results released on Friday, 65% of respondents from all political backgrounds concluded that the militant group Hamas holds more responsibility than Israel in regards to their ongoing fight.
This isn’t the first time a study has been conducted to assess opinion among Americans: In 2014, 49% of people said they were in favor of the Israeli government and 22% of people sided with Hamas. The recent poll has returned useful insight into Americans’ perception of the conflict, which appears to be constantly evolving towards a more one-sided opinion.
At a time when the fighting continues to intensify, this survey has now delivered a strong verdict on the longer-term narrative engulfing the region: That Hamas may be mostly to blame for the current state of affairs. This may be especially relevant in light of the recent reported ceasefire, where Hamas have since committed to halting rocket-fire in exchange for Israel allowing more goods and services into Gaza.
This opinion is slightly more prominent among those who classify themselves as extremely conservative or liberal – both indicate a 72% majority feeling – yet still remained a sizable majority at 58% among moderates. Similarly, 60% of those aged over 65 held this opinion, a figure which was mirrored among those aged 18-29.
The overall result, then, suggests this opinion is widespread, regardless of political position.
It’s also notable that the majority of Democratic Party members (54%) believe that Hamas is “mostly responsible” for the conflict, a view shared by more than three-quarters (77%) of Republican Party members.
It’s unsurprising that this opinion is shared across all political spectrums, given that Hamas is associated with the Islamist militant group, the Muslim Brotherhood, and have frequently been identified as a major security threat in the region. Furthermore, their association with the Iranian regime has only furthered a distrust of them in some quarters.
It’s encouraging to see such a strong showing of opinion in the recent poll. It suggests that Americans are well aware of the complexities of the Middle East and are beginning to understand the nuances of the region’s political and religious tensions.
Of course, the situation in Gaza can still appear bleak from the outside, with little-to-no hope of an immediate resolution. But with this strong showing of opinion, it may be a sign of greater public engagement and better understanding of the Middle East’s current affairs, with the American public’s voice heard loud and clear.
Ultimately, what this poll indicates is that Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the complexities surrounding this conflict, and are leaning towards the opinion that Hamas shares more responsibility for the current state of affairs and ultimately for the reason of the conflict in Gaza. This strong showing of opinion can only lead to a more informed population, which may help ease the tensions in the region and contribute to a lasting peace.
