Congress divided over war between Israel and Hamas

The current opinion of the United States Congress on the war between Israel and Hamas is divided along partisan lines.

Generally speaking, Republicans are more supportive of Israel’s actions and critical of Hamas, while Democrats are more sympathetic to the Palestinian plight and critical of Israel’s use of force.

However, there are also some differences within each party, as some lawmakers have expressed more nuanced or moderate views.

According to a Pew Research Center survey¹, 65% of Americans say Hamas bears a lot of responsibility for the conflict, while 35% say the same about the Israeli government.

Among Republicans, 73% blame Hamas a lot, compared with 21% who blame Israel a lot. Among Democrats, 62% blame Hamas a lot, but 50% also blame Israel a lot.

The survey also found that 48% of Americans are very concerned about the possibility of increasing violence against Jews in the U.S., while 38% are very concerned about the possibility of increasing violence against Muslims in the U.S.

The Biden administration has faced mixed reactions from Congress for its response to the war. Some lawmakers have praised the administration for its diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, while others have criticized it for not doing enough to pressure Israel to stop its attacks or to support a ceasefire.

The administration has also faced opposition from some members of Congress who have tried to block or delay arms sales to Israel, arguing that they would enable further violence against Palestinians²³⁴.

The war between Israel and Hamas has also raised questions about the U.S. role and interests in the region, as well as the prospects for a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Some experts have argued that the U.S. needs to change its approach and adopt a more balanced and inclusive strategy that addresses the root causes of the conflict and supports the rights and aspirations of both sides⁴.

Others have suggested that the U.S. should focus on other priorities and challenges in the Middle East, such as Iran, Syria, and Yemen, and avoid getting too involved in the intractable dispute between Israel and the Palestinians².