(NewsNation) — Most Americans are concerned the war between Israel and Hamas could lead to terrorist attacks in the U.S., according to a new NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll released Monday.
Nearly 80% of respondents said they are somewhat or very concerned that the current conflict in the Middle East may lead to a terror attack at home.
“You can be Democrat or Republican, you may hold some sympathies for the Palestinians, may hold some disregard for the Israelis, but by and large, you’re like, this might make us less safe here in the United States,” said Decision Desk HQ Advisor Scott Tranter.
Concern was evenly split between voters of each party, with 79% of Democrats and 83% of Republicans somewhat or very concerned.
“The bipartisanship is I wouldn’t say surprising, but it’s an interesting contrast when we look at some of the protests going around and things like that,” Tranter said.
About 46% of American voters said companies shouldn’t oust workers who have voiced support for the Oct. 7 attack.
NewsNation national security contributor Tracy Walder said the poll findings suggest Americans are staying informed about other countries’ involvement in the conflict.
Forty-two percent of surveyed voters agreed that Hamas is responsible for the ongoing violence in the Middle East. About 22% were uncertain about where the blame should lie, while 13% considered Iran responsible.
“I was surprised to see that so many people thought Hamas was responsible given that there are people coming out in support of Hamas,” Walder said.
Alongside the Israel-Hamas War, the poll comes amid a wave of rocket and drone attacks against U.S. servicemembers in the Middle East. So far, the assaults by Iran-backed militant groups have focused on military bases in Iraq and Syria.
When it comes to recent events in Israel and Gaza, about half of those surveyed said their sympathies lie more with the Israelis (49%) than the Palestinians (10%). Roughly a quarter of respondents (26%) said their sympathy was equal between the two.
However, attitudes varied by age and ethnicity.
Younger adults, ages 18-34, were more divided — 30% said their sympathies lay more with the Israelis, 24% chose the Palestinians, while 27% said about equal.
Non-white respondents were also more varied in their opinions. The plurality of Asians (42%) and African Americans (36%) surveyed said they’re equally sympathetic to both groups. Sympathy for Palestinians was highest among Hispanics (21%).
The majority of white respondents (53%) backed the Israelis, whereas 24% said both and 8% were more sympathetic to the Palestinians.
As for the U.S., nearly 52%, approved of President Joe Biden’s handling of the war.
Democrats were significantly more supportive of Biden’s actions, however. About 77% said they approve of the president’s handling of the war so far. That’s compared to 30.4% of Republicans who shared those sentiments. The majority of Republicans surveyed – nearly 70% – somewhat or strongly disapproved.
Both parties approved of the U.S. sending weapons and military supplies to Israel, as well as sending medical supplies and other aid to Palestinians living in Gaza.
Democrats, Republicans and Independents also agreed it’s important to protect Israel as a matter of U.S. foreign policy. Altogether, about 83% of surveyed voters said the protection of Israel is somewhat or very important.
As the war continues, Americans have concerns about misinformation.
About 47% at least somewhat agreed the U.S. media was doing a good job. About 35% disagreed and another 18% were unsure either way.
Despite a plurality of confidence in the U.S. media, nearly 89% of Americans said they were at least somewhat worried about misinformation interfering with their ability to receive reliable information about the war.
“What I am seeing on TikTok or Instagram is a plethora of misinformation, and I think that’s where that’s coming from,” Walder said.
