Palestinian rights groups in US fight to protect gains as public opinion shifts toward Israel

Support for Palestinian cause had risen earlier this year, but polls show decrease particularly among Democrats since Hamas attacks

Public opinion polls surveying Americans' views on the Israel-Hamas conflict suggest support for the Palestinian cause has taken a hit as a result of the carnage unfolding in the Middle East.

The recent wave of violence followed a period of significant improvement in US public opinion toward Palestinians, with Gallup polling earlier this year showing for the first time that Democrats expressed more sympathy for the Palestinians (49%) than the Israelis (38%).