More than six in 10 U.S. voters oppose U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for an American takeover of the Gaza Strip and expelling Palestinians living in the Hamas-run territory, according to a poll released on Wednesday.
Trump’s plan was opposed by 62% in the Quinnipiac University survey with only 22% in support. Another 16% did not answer or did not offer an opinion.
“The grand plan to transform a shattered Gaza into a lavish American restoration project on the Mediterranean has many more skeptics than supporters,” said Tim Malloy, a Quinnipiac polling analyst.
While Republicans backed Trump’s plan by 49% to 32%, Democrats lined up 94% to 1% in opposition, as did independents by 66% to 17%.
Separately, U.S. voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, 47% to 38%, with 15% not answering or expressing an opinion.
Again, Republicans lined up behind the president with 78% saying they approved of Trump’s performance on that issue and only 9% dissenting. Democrats disapproved 87% to 4%. So did independents by 48% to 37%.
The survey of 1,039 self-identified registered voters was conducted from Feb. 13-17 and had a margin of error of plus or minus +/- 3.0 percentage points.
