Poll: Where Michigan voters stand on US role in Gaza, Ukraine wars

DETROIT – A majority of Michigan voters believe Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has gone too far, and also support more U.S. aid to Ukraine, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll.

Results from a survey of Michigan voters conducted between Jan. 2-6 found that a majority of people don’t support Israel’s actions in Gaza, but do agree with the U.S. government’s support of Israel. When it comes to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Michigan voters primarily support the U.S. supplying more military aid to Ukraine.

Here are some of the key findings from this portion of the survey:

Israel’s response to Hamas attack

Michigan voters were asked for their thoughts on the actions by the Israeli government and military in Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

• 38.3% of Michigan voters said Israel’s response “has gone too far.”

• 22.1% of Michigan voters said Israel’s response to the attack “has been about right.”

• 13.6% of Michigan voters said Israel’s response “has not gone far enough.”

US role in Gaza

Michigan voters were asked their opinion on the United States’ support of Israel amid the country’s continuous bombardment of Gaza.

• 31.7% of voters said the U.S.’ support of Israel “has been about right.”

• 28.1% of voters said the U.S.’ support of Israel “has been too much.”

• 16.4% of voters said the U.S.’ support of Israel “has not been enough.”

Michigan voters were also asked their opinion on the humanitarian support provided by the U.S. in Gaza.

• 28.8% of voters said the U.S.’ humanitarian support in Gaza “has not been enough.”

• 26% of voters said the U.S.’ humanitarian support in Gaza “has been about right.”

• 11.6% of voters said the U.S.’ humanitarian support in Gaza “has been too much.”

—> A legal battle is set to open at the top UN court over an allegation of Israeli genocide in Gaza

US role in Ukraine

Michigan voters were also asked about their opinions on the U.S.’ involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

When asked if they support the U.S. providing additional military assistance to Ukraine amid the war:

• 51.9% of Michigan voters said they support the U.S. providing more military assistance. Among them, 28.6% of voters strongly support it, while 23.3% of voters somewhat support it.

• 37.5% of Michigan voters said they oppose the U.S. providing more military assistance to Ukraine. Among them, 26.1% of voters strongly oppose it, while 11.4% somewhat oppose it.

Michigan voters were asked how it would affect the U.S. if Ukraine were to lose the war to Russia.

• 40.7% of voters said Ukraine losing the war to Russia would make the U.S. a weaker nation in the world.

• 39.8% of voters said said Ukraine losing the war to Russia would have no standing on the U.S.’ position in the world.

• 2.3% of voters said Ukraine losing the war to Russia would make the U.S. a stronger nation in the world.

—> Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says Russia can be stopped but Kyiv badly needs more air defense systems

More poll results

About the survey participants

• How they vote: 39.8% Democratic, 39.5% Republican, 19.2% Independent.

• Where they live: 46.3% of the voters were from Metro Detroit, while 53.7% were from outstate. 17.7% said they lived in an urban area; 33.7% live in the suburbs; 21.5% live in small towns; and 25% live in rural areas.

• Ages: 15.9% of respondents were between 18-29 years old; 17.2% were between 30-39; 20.8% were between 40-49; 23.8% were between 50-64; and 21.7% were 65+.

• Race: 76.7% of respondents identified as Caucasian; 14% identified as Black; 1.8% identified as Hispanic/Mexican/Puerto Rican; 0.5% identified as Asian; and 0.5% identified as Native American.

• Gender: 48.3% of respondents were female. 51.7% were male.

Methodology

The Glengariff Group, Inc. conducted a Michigan statewide survey of November 2024 likely general election voters. The 600 sample, live operator telephone survey was conducted on January 2-6, 2024 and has a margin of error of +/-4.0% with a 95% level of confidence. 14% of respondents were contacted via landline telephone. 86% of respondents were contacted via cell phone telephone. This survey was commissioned by WDIV Local 4 News and the Detroit News.