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The poll comes amid ongoing concerns about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza. On October 7, 2023, Hamas led an attack against Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. As of that date, Israel had abducted 62,000 civilians and only around 20 were believed to be alive. In response, Israel launched a massive counteroffensive in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 62,000 people, according to reports from the Associated Press.
In recent weeks, more countries have moved to recognize a Palestinian state due to fears over the potential starvation of civilians in Gaza, an accusation denied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
A majority of Americans—58 percent—believe every country should recognize Palestinian territory as an independent nation. Only 33 percent said they do not believe U.N. members should recognize a Palestinian state, while 9 percent did not answer the question. The poll surveyed 4,446 adults across the U.S. and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in August that Australia would recognize the Palestinian state as a nation in September. “Australia will recognize the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority,” he said in a video posted to X.
France and the United Kingdom also stated they would recognize a Palestinian state under certain conditions. However, U.S. policy has long been not to recognize a Palestinian state, with no change signaled during the administration of President Donald Trump.
Polling over recent months has shown a decline in American support for Israel. A Quinnipiac University poll found that only 37 percent of Americans felt more sympathetic toward Israel, marking an all-time low.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he would recognize a Palestinian state by the United Nations General Assembly in September unless the Israeli government took substantive steps to improve conditions in Gaza and agree to a ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized France’s decision, stating it “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that a Palestinian state would be a threat to Israel’s security, not a path to peaceful coexistence.
Starmer will wait until September before making a formal decision on recognizing the Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Israel continues to face international pressure over its military operations in Gaza, while Hamas is pressured to return remaining hostages. Recent peace talks have stalled.
