Most Americans Support Palestinian State Recognition, View Israel’s Gaza Campaign as Excessive: Reuters/Ipsos Poll

Washington, DC – A majority of Americans believe that all United Nations member states should recognize Palestine as an independent nation, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on August 20, 2025. The survey, conducted from August 13 to 16 with 4,446 U.S. adults, found that 58% of respondents support international recognition of Palestine, while 33% oppose it, and 9% did not respond. The poll also revealed that 59% of Americans view Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as excessive, a rise from 53% in a February 2024 Reuters/Ipsos poll, with 33% disagreeing

The survey highlights a significant partisan divide: 78% of Democrats support U.N. recognition of Palestine, compared to 41% of Republicans. Notably, only 77% of Democrats agreed that Israel should be recognized by all U.N. members, suggesting a shift in sentiment among some Democratic voters. The poll comes amid growing global outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have killed over 62,000 Palestinians, displaced most of the population, and triggered a humanitarian crisis, according to Gaza health authorities. Leading rights groups have labeled the campaign a genocide, and the United Nations has warned of widespread starvation due to Israel’s restrictions on aid, which Israel denies, accusing Hamas of stealing supplies Recent moves by U.S. allies, including Canada, Britain, and France, to recognize Palestine at the upcoming U.N. General Assembly have intensified pressure on Israel, particularly as starvation spreads in Gaza. However, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed these efforts as meaningless and continues to reject international calls for Palestinian statehood. Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, has also broken with traditional U.S. policy by refusing to explicitly endorse a two-state solution or criticize Israel’s expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. In the West Bank, Israel has approved plans for 3,400 new illegal housing units, a move celebrated by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as a step to “erase” the possibility of a Palestinian state. This follows Israel’s security cabinet approving a military occupation of Gaza City, which risks displacing tens of thousands and destroying what remains of the area, despite condemnation from the U.N. and European allies. The International Court of Justice ruled last year that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end rapidly, citing violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

U.S. public opinion is increasingly critical of Israel’s actions. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 65% of Americans believe the U.S. should take action to address starvation in Gaza, with 28% disagreeing, including 41% of Trump’s Republicans, who often prioritize an “America First” approach that favors cuts to international aid. A separate YouGov poll released on August 19, 2025, indicated that 43% of Americans believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, compared to 28% who disagree. Public discontent is also evident in protests, such as a July 28 demonstration in Washington, DC, where a Palestinian flag was prominently displayed near the U.S. Capitol. Despite bipartisan support for Israel in Congress, the growing divide between U.S. public opinion and government policy highlights a shift, particularly among Democrats and younger Americans, who are more likely to sympathize with Palestinians and question U.S. military aid to Israel. Rights advocates continue to call for sanctions and an arms embargo to address Israel’s actions, as the conflict remains a contentious issue in U.S. politics.