More than 40 percent of New Hampshire voters think the U.S. is doing too much for Israel, and more than a quarter say America should not be giving any help to the Jewish state.
That’s the finding of the latest Granite State Poll, a States of Opinion Project, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.
“Overall, four in 10 (41 percent) New Hampshire residents think that the United States should not be aiding Israel at all (27 percent) or is aiding Israel too much (14 percent),” the survey reported. That 41 percent is up from 33 percent in November 2023.
At the same time, “22 percent think the U.S. is doing too little to support Israel, 25 percent think the U.S. is aiding Israel about the right amount, and 12 percent are unsure.”
As for Israel’s military action targeting Hamas, about half of New Hampshire voters say Israel is “going too far.” One reason for that number is the 83 percent of Democrats who hold that view.
Among independents it’s 42 percent, while just 19 percent of Republicans say Israel’s going too far. Instead, 46 percent of GOP voters say Israel’s military actions are “about right,” and 20 percent say “Israel’s military isn’t going far enough.”
The poll also found that while 89 percent of Granite Staters say Hamas bears “a lot” or “some” responsibility for the current military conflict, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) feel the same about Israel.
Those numbers are disturbing to supporters of Israel in New Hampshire and across New England.
“We feel there is great support for Israel in New Hampshire,” said Ambassador Meron Reuben, who has served as the Consul General of Israel to New England since November 2020. He noted that “even the protests at Elbit Systems in Merrimack didn’t have Granite Staters, it was people from Maine and Massachusetts, and even California.”
Asked about the poll results, Reuben said his nation needs to do more to communicate about the relationship between Israel and the U.S.
“There aren’t that many countries who see America as a steadfast ally. Israel does,” Reuben said. “We don’t play the games other nations play.”
And, he added, “the relationship between our countries isn’t a one-way street. It’s a two-way street. Yes, we get a hefty helping hand from the U.S., but practically every dollar is spent here in the U.S. and supports U.S. jobs.”
Reuben also noted the key role Israel played in cooperation with America when it comes to security and intelligence gathering. “Israel needs the U.S., and the U.S. needs Israel.”
State Rep. James Spillane (R-Deerfield) with the New Hampshire House USA-Israel Relations Caucus called it “concerning and disheartening to see that 40 percent of Granite State residents believe America is providing too much aid to Israel.”
However, he said, “our bipartisan caucus prefers to focus on the very good news that 47 percent of Granite State residents support Israel.”
Spillane also referenced the poll’s finding that Granite Staters would support a Gaza ceasefire as long as all Israeli hostages are released by Hamas (65 percent), and Hamas is removed from the Gaza government (57 percent).
“We stand with the majority of Granite State residents who made it clear in this poll that a ceasefire in Gaza cannot happen without the return of all Israeli hostages, and without the annihilation of Hamas. We will continue our work supporting the state of Israel and her strong alliance with the U.S.A.”
Tracy Richmond, chair of the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire, also noted that portion of the poll, saying her organization “is happy to see that the majority of New Hampshire residents agree with the majority of members of the Jewish community worldwide. We all want to see our hostages returned, Hamas removed from power and then a ceasefire.”
Richmond added that Hamas continues to refuse to agree to a ceasefire deal that involves the release of hostages.
“Sadly, Israel has no choice but to continue the effort to bring our hostages home.”
While the state has seen two protests at Elbit Systems and a handful of events featuring chants of “From the river to the sea,” New Hampshire has largely avoided the turmoil seen in other states. At the same time, age appears to play a role in the view Granite Staters have of the conflict.
“Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of those aged 18 to 34 feel the U.S. is aiding Israel too much or should not be aiding Israel at all, while 63 percent of those aged 65 and older feel the U.S. is doing too little or about the right amount to aid Israel,” UNH reported.
Reuben said he isn’t surprised.
“Younger people are likely to believe an internet meme or a short video on TikTok is enough information for them to comment on what’s going on,” Reuben said.
“If I could speak to these people, I would urge them to please keep an open mind and try to understand rather than just spouting propaganda.”
