This survey comes as the Biden administration deploys military assets to protect Israel from a potential Iranian retaliatory strike following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Haniyeh was in Iran's capital to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian and was staying in a residence for veterans when an Israeli rocket targeted the room he was in. In the event of an Iranian military response, only 42 percent of Americans would support deploying U.S. troops to defend Israel. Among political affiliations, a slight majority of Republicans (53 percent) would back American military intervention, compared to 42 percent of independents and just 34 percent of Democrats. In recent days, U.S. officials have urged international partners to discourage Iran from launching a direct or proxy attack. "We've been engaged in intense diplomacy with allies and partners, communicating that message directly to Iran and Israel," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday. "Everyone in the region should understand that further attacks only perpetuate conflict, instability, and insecurity for everyone." Russian President Vladimir Putin has also called for Iran to show restraint and avoid targeting civilians in any planned attack on Israel. In April, the U.S. deployed military assets to defend Israel from a barrage of missiles and drones launched by Iran in response to an Israeli attack on Iran's consulate in Syria. This attack resulted in the deaths of seven senior Iranian military commanders, including senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammed Reza Zahedi. An Israeli spokesman claimed the building was a military facility disguised as a civilian consulate. Over the past nine months, Israel has faced increased scrutiny due to a surge of videos on social media alleging human rights and international law violations in Gaza. "The unrelenting Israeli attacks against Gaza have likely dampened American willingness to defend Israel, especially among Democrats," the CCGA stated. The 2024 survey, conducted from June 21 to July 1, included 2,106 adults and showed a decline in public support for using U.S. military force to defend Israel over the past 14 years. In 2010, 47 percent of Americans supported such intervention, with 60 percent of Republicans, 42 percent of independents, and 41 percent of Democrats in favor.A recent survey by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (CCGA) reveals that the majority of Americans oppose using U.S. troops to defend Israel if it is attacked by Iran.
