US Democrats in Early Primary States Oppose Israel Aid

A significant majority of Democrats in the first six states scheduled to vote in the 2028 presidential primary elections oppose continued U.S. aid to Israel. This sentiment was revealed in a poll conducted by Progress Action, which surveyed Democratic voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, and Georgia. The survey, released on March 12, 2024, found that 53% of these Democratic voters believe the United States should stop providing military and financial assistance to Israel. Furthermore, a substantial portion of respondents, 48%, believe that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This finding indicates a growing divide within the Democratic party regarding U.S. foreign policy towards Israel, particularly among the party's base in crucial early voting states. The poll surveyed 2,400 likely Democratic primary voters between February 20 and March 5, 2024, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. The results suggest that any Democratic candidate seeking the nomination in 2028 will need to address this strong opposition to current U.S. policy on Israel. The poll also highlighted that 62% of these Democratic voters believe the U.S. should condition military aid to Israel on its adherence to international law and human rights standards. This indicates a desire for greater accountability and oversight in the provision of U.S. support. The findings contrast with the current Biden administration's steadfast support for Israel, which has faced increasing criticism from progressive factions within the Democratic party. The poll's methodology involved online surveys and phone calls, aiming to capture a representative sample of Democratic voters in these influential states. The questions were designed to gauge overall sentiment on aid and specific beliefs about Israel's actions in Gaza. The data suggests a potential shift in the political landscape concerning U.S.-Israel relations, with implications for future electoral campaigns and foreign policy debates. The poll's release comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in a high number of civilian casualties. Progress Action, the organization behind the poll, stated that the results underscore the need for Democratic candidates to engage with voters on these critical issues. The organization plans to release further data from the survey in the coming weeks, focusing on specific policy preferences and candidate evaluations.