The American Public Will is Faltering in the Continued Support of the Israeli Government
Madeline Kruszczynski
Digital Editor
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked a critical examination of just war principles globally. There is growing scrutiny from the international community regarding support for Israel, while within the United States, questions are arising about America’s political, financial, and military backing of Israel. Notably, The Council on Foreign Relations underscores Israel’s status as the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid, having received approximately $300 billion since 1948, primarily in the form of military assistance. Such statistics are contributing to a sense of weariness among the U.S. population concerning the sustained support for Israel.
This weariness is evident in a Reuters poll conducted in October 2023, where 41 percent of respondents expressed support for the U.S. backing of Israel. However, just a month later, the figure dropped to a mere 32 percent. According to a Gallup Poll in 2024, 36 percent of Americans now believe that the U.S. is providing excessive support to Israel, while 24 percent feel that the support is insufficient. This data strongly suggests a declining public opinion regarding President Biden’s involvement and support for Israel as the conflict persists. The media’s coverage of the extensive casualties and devastation in Gaza, particularly affecting vulnerable Palestinians caught in the crossfire, is likely a contributing factor.
President Joe Biden himself acknowledged this waning support earlier this month, characterizing Israel’s military response in Gaza as “over the top” according to the Associated Press. This sentiment reveals a growing fatigue within the U.S. government, aligning with the international struggle to broker a cease-fire between the two parties. As this sense of weariness continues to gain traction within the United States, the ultimate trajectory of the conflict remains uncertain.
The incursion by Hamas fighters across Israel’s southern border on October 7 resulted in a significant death toll, with over a thousand Israeli casualties. In response to this attack, under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel launched an extensive counteroffensive. Unfortunately, the consequences have been severe for the Palestinian population, marked by widespread devastation due to airstrikes and a blockade of Gaza. This blockade has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis by impeding the flow of essential resources such as food, water, and power into the region, reports The Human Rights Watch.
The global community is closely monitoring the alarming escalation of casualties in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed a staggering 30,000 and is disproportionately affecting women and children, documents The Guardian. As the violence persists and the disparity in casualties continues to grow, there is mounting international questioning of Israel’s military actions. Moreover, questions are being raised about the ongoing financial and military support provided to Israel by the international community and more specifically, the United States.
In the wake of prolonged conflicts, the impact on populations is profound, encompassing mass starvation, economic collapse, disease outbreaks, and the tragic loss of family and friends through violence. These devastating consequences prompt a global response, leading to increased scrutiny of the war’s justifiability.
The notion of a just war has been a topic of extensive debate for centuries. Philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas defines a just war as a conflict where a nation is compelled to rectify wrongs and restore justice, known as jus ad bellum. Through this principle, a nation’s intentions should be to restore justice, but not act out of hate, revenge, or use unfair or unequal force. This brings in the principle of jus in bello, emphasizing an equal response to violence for the restoration of order and justice.
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