Support for Netanyahu cost Kamala Harris presidency, new poll finds
A new poll from YouGov, a leading international market research and data analysis institute based in London, finds that Kamala Harris’ alignment with Joe Biden’s pro-Israel policy on Gaza would have largely contributed to his presidential defeat in 2024.
This opinion poll, commissioned by the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, shows that 29% of former 2020 Biden voters who abstained in 2024 cite U.S. support for Israel in the Gaza conflict as their main reason for voting. their abstention, ahead of the economy (24%) and immigration (11%).
In key states that switched from Biden to Trump, the impact remains significant with 20% of abstainers citing Gaza as the main reason. The effect is particularly marked in Arizona (38%), Michigan and Wisconsin (32% each).
The poll suggests that Harris distancing herself from Biden’s position on Gaza could have strengthened her appeal: 35% of loyal Democratic voters say such an initiative would have made them more enthusiastic, compared to only 5 % less favorable. Jack Lew, American ambassador to Israel, admitted on January 12 in the Times of Israel that the inflexible support for Israel “contributed to making the challenge of re-election insurmountable”.