A recent national survey indicates that public opinion in the United States toward Israel has declined significantly in recent years, with the shift largely driven by increasingly negative views among Democrats and independent voters, according to a report cited by Fox News.
The poll, conducted by NBC News between February 27 and March 2, comes at a time when support for Israel has become a divisive issue within the Democratic Party, more than two years after the start of the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza.
The survey found that only 32% of Americans currently view Israel positively, while 39% hold a negative opinion. This marks a notable change from three years ago, when 47% had a favorable view and 34% viewed Israel negatively.
The decline in support appears to be driven mainly by Democrats and independents. In 2023, Democratic opinion was nearly evenly split, with 34% expressing positive views and 35% negative. However, the latest results show a sharp shift, with only 13% of Democrats now viewing Israel favorably, compared to 57% who hold negative opinions.
Independents have also moved in a similar direction. Previously, they had a net positive view (40% favorable vs. 22% unfavorable), but the latest data shows just 21% holding positive views and 48% expressing negative opinions.
Republican attitudes, on the other hand, have remained relatively stable. Favorable views declined slightly from 63% in 2023 to 54%, while negative views rose modestly from 12% to 18%.
The poll was conducted during a period when the United States and Israel had begun military strikes against Iran. It also revealed that Americans are now almost evenly split in their sympathies between Israelis and Palestinians.
In 2013, Americans showed significantly greater sympathy for Israel, by a margin of 45% to 13%. Today, that gap has nearly disappeared, with 40% saying they sympathize more with Israel and 39% with Palestinians.
The shift is particularly pronounced among Democrats. In 2013, they leaned toward Israel (34% vs. 18%), but the latest poll shows a reversal, with 67% now expressing greater sympathy for Palestinians and only 17% for Israel.
Independents have also changed their stance. Thirteen years ago, they favored Israel by 37% to 10%, but now lean toward Palestinians by 37% to 27%.
Republicans, however, continue to strongly support Israel. Their views have remained largely consistent, favoring Israel by 69% to 13%, similar to 67% to 8% in 2013.
The findings also highlight a generational divide, with younger Americans showing a greater decline in support for Israel compared to older groups.
While most Republicans continue to back Israel, the ongoing war in Gaza has deepened divisions among Democrats, making it a key issue in the party’s 2026 primary elections.
According to health authorities in Gaza, Israel’s military operations over the past two and a half years have resulted in more than 72,000 deaths.
