Majority of Americans back UN recognition of Palestinian statehood, finds survey

Israel’s response in Gaza excessive

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also showed that 59 per cent of Americans believe that Israel’s military response in Gaza has been excessive. The tally of those disagreeing with this statement stood at 33 per cent. The findings are similar to a poll conducted in February 2024 where 53 per cent of respondents agreed that Israel’s response had been excessive, and 42 per cent disagreed.

The six-day poll, which closed on Monday, was taken within weeks of three countries — Canada, Britain and France — announcing their intention to recognise the State of Palestine in the coming months.

How many countries have recognised Palestine?

The State of Palestine is recognised as a sovereign nation by 147 countries, representing 75 per cent of the UN’s 193 members.

Several countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands in Europe and the US, Canada, and Mexico in North America have not recognised the State of Palestine.

While Japan, South Korea and Singapore are among the Asian countries that have not recognised the State of Palestine, Israel is the only country in the Middle East to do so.

The ongoing war in Gaza, which has turned into a humanitarian catastrophe, has made the calls for the recognition of Palestine louder in many of these countries.

Israel not letting enough supplies into Gaza: UN

The United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday that Israel was not letting enough supplies into the Gaza Strip to avert widespread starvation. Israel has denied responsibility for the hunger in Gaza, accusing Hamas of stealing aid shipments, which Hamas denies.

A larger majority of the Reuters/Ipsos poll respondents (65 per cent), said the US should take action in Gaza to help people facing starvation, with 28 per cent disagreeing.

War in Gaza

The war in Gaza began as a response to the Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people. The militant organisation took hostage 251 people, of which around 50 are still being held in Gaza.

In response to the terror attack, Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza, which has since killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, and plunged the Palestinian areas into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and displaced most of its population.

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