Declining American Support for Israel’s Actions in Gaza
Americans’ support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza is rapidly dropping, prompting warnings from pro-Israel Democrats and some long-time allies of President Donald Trump that the country could permanently damage its standing in the United States.
A Gallup poll released this week found that just 32% of US adults support Israel’s military actions in Gaza—a record low since the war began in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terror attack. The poll also revealed the strongest partisan split yet: Republican support remained strong at 71%, but only 8% of Democrats and 25% of independents back Israel’s military actions. Perhaps most ominously for Israel’s backers, only 9% of those aged 18-34 across all political parties support its actions.
Implications for US Political Parties
The shift in public opinion has crucial implications for both major U.S. political parties. Within the Republican Party, some key members of Trump’s MAGA movement are vocally questioning continued U.S. support for Israel. This signals a potential fissure within a traditionally staunch pro-Israel base.
Simultaneously, plummeting backing for Israel among Democrats will likely impact the party’s primaries in key races in 2026 and 2028, as candidates face pressure from a growing segment of their electorate. This evolving sentiment could force a re-evaluation of long-held foreign policy stances within the Democratic Party, reflecting a broader generational and ideological shift in how the conflict is perceived across the American political spectrum.
Global Trend and Humanitarian Crisis Warnings
The collapse in American support for Israel is part of a broader global trend. The United Kingdom announced this week it would recognize a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly unless Israel takes significant steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This announcement followed a similar decision by France. United Nations agencies are issuing dire warnings that “time is running out to mount a full-scale humanitarian response” in the besieged Gaza Strip. Data from the UN’s World Food Programme indicates that over one in three people (39%) are now going days without eating, and more than 500,000 people—almost a quarter of Gaza’s population—are enduring famine-like conditions. This international pressure underscores the severity of the humanitarian situation and its impact on global diplomatic relations.
Congressional Divisions and Public Image Concerns
Representative Brad Sherman, a California Democrat and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Israel Allies Caucus, acknowledged that Israel is losing the battle for worldwide public opinion. He noted that while Israel’s military faces serious challenges from Hamas, which is willing to incur massive civilian casualties “to undermine Israel’s position in the world,” Israel’s objectives “have to be balanced against each other.” Sherman emphasized that Israel must determine its military objectives and the casualties it is willing to incur, recognizing that national security includes its global image.
He stressed that “You can’t get everything you want, and your worldwide image is important,” suggesting a need for Israel to recalibrate its approach to better align with international perceptions and humanitarian concerns.
MAGA Movement Doubts and Internal GOP Fissures
Within the Republican Party, fissures over Israel’s actions have become publicly visible. President Trump himself disputed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that there is “no starvation in Gaza,” stating, “That’s real starvation stuff. I see it, and you can’t fake that. So, we’re going to be even more involved.” Furthermore, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent figure in Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, appeared to be the first Republican in Congress to describe the crisis in Gaza as a “genocide” in a social media post.
Her comment, criticizing staunch Israel supporter Florida GOP Representative Randy Fine, sparked sharp rebuttals. Fine argued that such claims were “antisemitic or idiots or both,” asserting Israel’s capability to commit genocide if it wished, but its choice not to. Despite many Republicans still agreeing with Fine, Steve Bannon, former Trump chief strategist, noted “very little support for Israel” among MAGA members under 30.
Democratic Party’s ‘Total Mindset Change’
Inside the Democratic Party, support for Israel proved challenging in 2024 for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly in battleground states like Michigan, with its large Arab-American population. This will likely influence competitive Senate contests in 2026 and push 2028 presidential hopefuls on their Israel policies.
Progressive Pennsylvania Representative Summer Lee supported an amendment to strip $500 million in funding for Israel’s missile defense systems, stating, “The United States has a responsibility to demand a permanent ceasefire, stop funding and supplying the bombs being dropped, and call for unconditional humanitarian aid to enter Gaza immediately.” More establishment figures in liberal media have also sharpened criticism.
The hosts of the “Pod Save America” podcast argued Democratic candidates should stop supporting military aid for Israel, with co-host Tommy Vietor stating, “There has to be a total mindset change in the Democratic Party. When the war ends, we are not going back to the pre-October 7 status quo. It’s not where the party is. It’s not where the world is.”
Media Coverage and Partisan Divide
Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, and a former Ohio Democratic congressman, attributed the Gallup findings to “overwhelmingly negative media coverage of the war.” He acknowledged the highly partisan moment in America, which overlays how people react to the situation in Israel and Gaza. This suggests that media narratives play a significant role in shaping public opinion, contributing to the deepening partisan divide on this issue. While Republicans largely remain supportive, the growing disapproval among Democrats and independents indicates a complex interplay of humanitarian concerns, political identity, and media influence. The differing interpretations of events and the emphasis placed on various aspects of the conflict continue to widen the chasm in public sentiment across the political spectrum.
A Shifting Landscape of Support
The substantial drop in U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza signals a significant shift in public opinion, driven by growing Democratic opposition and emerging fissures within the MAGA movement. This trend aligns with broader international calls for a resolution to the humanitarian crisis. While historical U.S. support for Israel has been strong and bipartisan, the current conflict is challenging long-held political alignments and forcing a re-evaluation of foreign policy approaches.
The evolving dynamics underscore the complex interplay of humanitarian concerns, domestic political pressures, and global perceptions, indicating that the landscape of U.S. support for Israel is undergoing a profound and potentially lasting transformation.
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