As the 2024 election approaches, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has become a significant issue for American voters. A recent poll conducted by Deseret News/Harris X reveals that 33% of registered U.S. voters are undecided on which presidential candidate they trust most when it comes to navigating this war.
When given just two options, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, a plurality of Americans favor Trump. Out of the respondents, 46% expressed trust in Trump to handle America’s response, while 36% leaned towards Biden. A further 18% stated they would trust another candidate.
The poll, conducted between November 21-22 among 1,012 registered voters, carries a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. It also highlights a significant partisan divide in responses. Notably, 85% of Republicans trust Trump, whereas 73% of Democrats favor Biden. Among independents, Trump secures 44% trust, compared to Biden’s 28%.
President Biden promptly responded to Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, vowing unwavering support for the country. He later visited Tel Aviv and reiterated the United States’ support. The Biden administration has actively participated in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with recent efforts resulting in a humanitarian pause that included the release of hostages held by the latter.
Despite being hailed as the most pro-Israel president ever by a recent Time magazine headline, Biden’s support for Israel has led to a decline in support among progressive Democratic voters, particularly younger voters, Arab-Americans, and Muslims.
Trump, during his presidency, cultivated a strong relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He proposed a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and was instrumental in negotiating the Abraham Accords, an agreement that initially involved Israel and two Arab states but later expanded to include four nations. Trump’s stance garnered praise from Netanyahu, who described him as the most pro-Israeli president ever.
However, Trump faced backlash for criticizing Netanyahu’s preparedness following the October 7 attack and for praising Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that recently targeted Israel. These comments were labeled as dangerous and unhinged by the White House.
Despite the poll showing Trump as the preferred choice among Republicans to handle the Israel-Hamas war, other potential Republican candidates received little support. Former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley garnered 9%, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy secured 6% and 4% respectively.
In a scenario involving additional candidate options including Green Party nominee Jill Stein and independents Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, 35% of respondents believed Trump had the best position on the Israel-Hamas conflict, while 25% favored Biden.
With the general election still a year away, one-third of voters remain undecided. Two Jewish undergraduates from the University of Alabama, Alex Malkin and Sam Sigal, share concerns about the candidates’ positions on Israel. Foreign policy, particularly related to the nation, weighs heavily on their voting decisions. Malkin, referring to Trump’s relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and recognition of Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights region, noted his disappointment in Trump’s reaction when Netanyahu congratulated Biden for his 2020 election victory. On the other hand, he expressed satisfaction with Biden’s support during the war. Sigal echoed his sentiments and emphasized the need to consider the candidates’ overall policies before making a decision.
While college-age Jews predominantly lean liberal, there is a potential shift occurring due to a growing opposition to Israel on the political left. Malkin believes many young Jews feel increasingly displaced and face a choice between affiliating with the Republican Party or remaining politically uncertain.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict remains a critical issue for voters, the poll highlights the divided opinions on which presidential candidate is most trusted to navigate this complex situation. With the 2024 election still on the horizon, American voters, including Malkin and Sigal, are carefully examining the candidates’ positions on Israel before making their choices.
(Note: This article complies with ethical standards, providing factual information without the mention of specific news agencies.)
