The longstanding and unconditional support of the United States for Israel is waning. According to the latest poll by Gallup, for the first time in the history of its surveys, more Americans express greater sympathy for Palestinians (41%) than for Israelis (36%). The change is particularly pronounced among Democratic Party voters and young adults. All analyzed media point to the Israeli offensive in Gaza as the main cause of this historic shift in American public opinion.
Historic change in polls
A Gallup poll showed that 41% of Americans sympathize more with Palestinians, and 36% with Israelis. This is the first time since the institute began asking this question that the advantage is not on Israel's side. However, the five-percentage-point difference falls within the statistical margin of error.
Sharp decline among Democrats
Within a year, support for Israel among Democratic Party voters fell from 46% to 33%. In the same group, sympathy for Palestinians rose from 31% to 41%. Among Republicans and independents, preferences remain stable and clearly pro-Israel.
War in Gaza as the cause
All analyzed sources link the change in sentiment to the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, launched after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The scale of civilian casualties and images from the conflict, widely disseminated in the media, are directly influencing perception.
Generational and ideological divide
The shift in sympathy is most visible among young adults (18-34 years old) and those identifying with the left. Older generations and conservatives still clearly support Israel. This division reflects a broader rift in American foreign policy.
American public opinion is undergoing a historic transformation in its perception of the Middle Eastern ally. The latest Gallup poll, published on Thursday, shows that for the first time since these measurements began, more Americans declare greater sympathy for Palestinians (41%) than for Israelis (36%). Although the difference falls within the statistical margin of error, it symbolically ends the period of Israel's clear advantage in American sympathy polls that lasted for decades. A year ago, the ratio was 46% to 33% in favor of Israel, meaning its support has dropped by ten percentage points in just twelve months. American Sympathy in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Palestinians: 41, Israelis: 36 This change is most dramatic among Democratic Party voters. In this group, support for Israel fell from 46% to 33%, while sympathy for Palestinians rose from 31% to 41%. Among Republicans, preferences remain stable and strongly pro-Israel (78% for Israel, 11% for Palestinians). Similarly, among independent voters, Israel still holds an advantage (45% to 40%). The Gallup survey has been conducted since 2001 and has become an indicator of long-term trends. „It's the first time since Gallup began asking the question that more Americans sympathize with Palestinians than Israelis.” — Axios The United States has been a strategic ally of Israel since its establishment in 1948, providing it with billions of dollars in military aid annually and political support in international organizations. For decades, there was a broad bipartisan consensus in American politics regarding support for Israel. Pro-Israel lobbies, such as AIPAC, have traditionally exerted significant influence on Congress.The main factor cited by all sources for the change in sentiment is the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, launched after the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and over 250 were taken captive, was met with a massive Israeli response. The military actions, described by Al Jazeera as "genocide in Gaza," have led, according to Palestinian health sources, to the deaths of over 72,000 people, mostly civilians, including women and children. Images of destruction and victims widely disseminated on social and traditional media have had a crucial impact on the perception of the conflict, especially among young Americans. The use of the term "genocide" in the article title by Al Jazeera is a strongly value-laden description that is not widely recognized by the international community or officially used by the US government or the UN in the context of this war. It constitutes an editorial interpretation, not a legal fact.The shift in sentiment has a clear generational and ideological dimension. Among young adults aged 18-34, sympathy for Palestinians (52%) is twice that for Israelis (25%). Among those identifying as liberal, the proportions are even more pronounced (57% to 23%). Conversely, among older adults (55+) and conservatives, Israel still enjoys a significant advantage. This division reflects a broader trend where foreign policy is ceasing to be an area of bipartisan consensus and is becoming another line of cultural division. The historic decline in sympathy could have far-reaching political consequences. The administration of President Joe Biden, a member of the Democratic Party, has been grappling for months with internal opposition from part of its voter base against unlimited support for Israel. „The Gallup poll shows U.S. sympathy shifting from Israel toward Palestinians.” — Deutsche Welle Pressure from young and progressive voters, who have threatened to withhold votes in the upcoming presidential election, may have prompted the White House to adopt a more critical stance, calling for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid. This change in the polls is a clear signal to American politicians that unconditional support for Israel could become a growing electoral problem, at least within one of the major parties.