Americans Show Strong Support for Israel Over Hamas, Back Unconditional Hostage Release

A recent Harvard CAPS / Harris poll conducted in August 2025 reveals that a significant majority of Americans continue to support Israel in its conflict with Hamas. The survey, which uniquely frames the question as "Israel over Hamas" rather than "Israel v. Palestine," found that 74% of voters back Israel. This consistent phrasing has been a hallmark of the Harvard/Harris polls throughout the conflict.

The poll highlights a notable generational divide in public opinion. While overall support for Israel remains high, a Harvard Harris survey cited in an August 2025 Brookings analysis indicated that 40% of young people expressed support for Hamas. This contrasts sharply with the broader American sentiment and underscores varied perspectives among different age demographics.

Furthermore, the survey data points to a strong consensus regarding the resolution of the conflict's humanitarian aspects. An overwhelming 80% of voters, according to a June 2025 Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, support Hamas releasing all remaining hostages without any conditions. This sentiment aligns with a finding from the August 2025 poll, where 58% of voters stated that Israel should only agree to a hostage release deal if Hamas leaves Gaza, emphasizing the desire for Hamas's removal from power.

The August 2025 poll also touched upon the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with 61% of voters believing Hamas is responsible for the reported famine. Public opinion remains split on whether criticism of Israel is primarily driven by concerns for Palestinian human rights or by antisemitism, with a 51%-49% division respectively. Additionally, voters are evenly divided on whether Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza.

The findings from the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, conducted among 2,025 registered voters on August 20-21, 2025, underscore the prevailing American support for Israel and a clear desire for the unconditional release of hostages and the disempowerment of Hamas. These insights provide a snapshot of the complex and evolving public sentiment concerning the ongoing Middle East conflict.