Israeli and Hamas officials agreed to a ceasefire last Thursday after 11 days of violence. The United States is involved in diplomatic efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and reduce the risk of further conflict. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to the region this week to meet separately with leaders from both sides.
President Joe Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel during the conflict and approved a $735 million arms deal to Israel. He also told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will help Israel replenish its Iron Dome air defense system.
The Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey found that 58% of respondents supported Biden’s position on Israel while 42% opposed it.
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Several Republican lawmakers once appeared open to forming such a commission, raising hopes that the legislation would win approval. But those hopes dimmed last week when a number of top Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Only 35 House Republicans voted in favor of the measure last week.
GOP opponents of the commission argue that it will be used as a political weapon against Republicans and fear that it will drag the issue of the Jan. 6 riot into the 2022 midterms. There are also concerns among Republicans that supporting the creation of such a commission could anger Trump, who has spoken publicly against the idea.
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But he also performs well among voters when it comes to his stewardship of the economy and stimulating jobs, garnering 62 percent approval on each front. Nearly as many 61 percent said they approve of how he is administering the government.
Biden gets his worst reviews on his handling of immigration, though a majority 53 percent still say they approve of how he’s handling the matter.
The poll suggests that overall perceptions of both major political parties are also improving.
Fifty-five percent of respondents said they approve of the Democratic Party, up from 53 percent last month. Meanwhile, approval of the GOP ticked up to 49 percent from 46 percent at the end of April, according to the Harvard CAPS/Harris poll.