WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (Reuters) - A majority of Americans - including 80% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans - think the United States should recognize a Palestinian state, a sign that President Donald Trump's opposition to the initiative is at odds with public opinion, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The six-day poll, which closed on Monday, showed that 59% of respondents support US recognition of a Palestinian state, while 33% are opposed and the rest are not sure or did not provide an answer.
About half of Republicans who support Trump – 53% – oppose such a decision, while 41% of them say they would support recognizing a Palestinian state.
A growing number of countries - including US allies such as Britain, Canada, France and Australia - have officially recognised Palestinian statehood in recent weeks, sparking a backlash from Israel, which after its establishment in 1948 led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and decades of conflict.
Israeli bombings have leveled large parts of Palestinian neighborhoods in Gaza following Hamas militants' surprise attack on Israel in October 2023.
About 60% of respondents said that Israel's response in Gaza has been excessive, compared to 32% who disagreed with this assessment.
Trump, who returned to the White House in January, has largely sided with Israel during the war, but this month brokered a ceasefire that has revived hopes for a lasting peace.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, the American public is likely to give Trump credit if his plan works. Some 51% of respondents agreed with the statement that Trump “deserves significant credit” if peace efforts are successful, compared to 42% who disagreed.
Although only one in 20 Democrats approves of his job as president, one in four agreed that he should take great credit if the ceasefire is maintained.
However, success still seems uncertain. An outbreak of violence over the weekend threatened to derail the week-long ceasefire, as US diplomats are putting pressure on Israel and Hamas to get Trump's plan back on track.
Key issues such as the disarmament of Hamas, the further withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the future of Gaza's governance still remain unresolved.
Trump's approval rating on foreign policy has risen slightly, rising to 38% in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, up from 33% earlier this month, just before the ceasefire agreement. That's his highest rating since July.
