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Poll finds Americans split on Biden's handling of Gaza war

A University of Maryland poll finds that Americans are also split on whether Israelis and Palestinians were responsible.

Joe Biden discussing Gaza war on May 20
US President Joe Biden arrives to deliver remarks on the Middle East in Cross Hall of the White House, in Washington, on May 20, 2021. Israel and the two main Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, announced a cease-fire earlier that day aimed at ending the most devastating conflict between them in seven years. — NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images

A slight majority of Americans disapproved of President Joe Biden’s handling of the May war in Gaza, according to a University of Maryland poll published Thursday. The findings of the “Critical Issues Poll” were based on a survey conducted in June and July. 

Pollsters asked Americans about Biden’s efforts to end the fighting, leading with a reference to the “high level of civilian casualties and destruction.” Biden urged de-escalation throughout the conflict, but refrained from vocal criticism of Israel to the chagrin of progressives in the Democratic Party. The survey found that 52.7% somewhat or highly disapproved of Biden’s handling of the war. But while 80.1% of Republicans disapproved of the president's actions, 72.3% of Democrats approved of them.

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