Two-Thirds Favor Humanitarian Aid for Gaza in Israel’s $14.5B Package

On November 2, 2023, the United States House of Representatives approved a $14.5 billion military aid package for Israel aimed at supporting its efforts in the conflict with Hamas. The aid package is intended to help Israel defend itself, free hostages held by Hamas, and eradicate threats.

This aid, though seen as a strong U.S. stance in support of Israel, has sparked partisan tensions. The bill, proposed by Republicans, faces challenges in the Senate, where Democrats express concerns about the allocation of funds and the source of financing.

In addition, discussions on the amount and necessity of U.S. military aid to Israel have been ongoing, with some questioning the need for such substantial support. These differing perspectives in society regarding U.S. military aid to Israel have prompted Real Research, an online survey app, to launch a survey to gather opinions on the matter.

Here are the key findings of the survey report:

• 53.95% voted in favor of giving Israel $14.5 billion in military aid, while 46.05% voted against.
• The inclusion of humanitarian aid for Gaza in the aid package to Israel was supported by 65.22%.
• 50.7% think Ukraine is more deserving of U.S. financial aid than Israel.

Support vs. Opposition for U.S. Military Aid to Israel

The first question on the survey on America sending $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel addressed whether respondents supported the bill providing military aid to Israel in its conflict with Hamas. The results revealed a divided opinion, with 53.95% expressing support and 46.05% opposing the U.S. military aid to Israel.

However, political opposition emerged, with President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats signaling their disapproval due to spending cuts and the absence of humanitarian aid for Gaza. The survey then delved into the funding method of the U.S. military aid to Israel, which involves cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The majority, 58.55%, agreed with this funding approach, while 41.45% disagreed.

Read Also: Five in Ten Predict Antisemitic Incidents Surge Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis

In addition, the survey gauged whether respondents believed humanitarian aid for Gaza should have been included in the aid package to Israel. A substantial 65.22% indicated support for including humanitarian aid, while 34.78% disagreed.

The Tug of Financial Support

Senate Democrats have also called for financial aid from the United States to Israel to be passed as part of the White House’s broader $106 billion emergency supplemental request. This includes a new round of aid for Ukraine’s defense against Russia, funding to counter China’s military presence in the Asia-Pacific, and more money to secure the U.S. borders.

The survey then explored opinions on linking the U.S. military aid to Israel with other priorities. The responses indicated a diverse range of views, with 39.95% supporting the linkage, 23.58% advocating for aid to Israel only, and 36.47% opposing aid to any country.

Ukraine or Israel: Choosing Sides in Global Conflicts

A group of Republican senators released a stand-alone border security proposal that could serve as a negotiating point with Democrats to compromise on aid for Ukraine. The survey then asked which conflict respondents believe deserves more financial aid from the United States. The outcome was almost evenly split, with 50.7% choosing the Ukraine-Russia war and 49.3% selecting the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The U.S. Military Assistance to Israel

In addition to the $14.5 billion U.S. military aid to Israel, the U.S. traditionally provides significant annual aid to Israel, totaling billions of dollars for advanced weapons systems and defense services. Notably, the U.S. has given Israel more military assistance than any other country since World War II, providing aid worth more than $124 billion.

As a result, the decision raises questions about the ongoing annual aid Israel receives, with some expressing concerns about the necessity of such substantial financial support. The survey then inquired if the U.S. should continue its military alliance with Israel. A clear majority, 61.35%, expressed support for continuing this alliance, while 38.65% opposed it.