A recent Pew Research Center poll reveals a dramatic shift in how Americans perceive Israel, with a majority now expressing unfavorable views. The data points to a growing divide in public opinion, influenced by generational, political, and religious factors—and suggests increasing dissonance between American sentiment and official U.S. policy toward the Israeli government.
UNFAVORABLE VIEWS ON THE RISE
According to the poll, 53% of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, marking an 11-point increase since March 2022. Particularly striking is the rise in strong disapproval: the share of Americans with a “very unfavorable” opinion has nearly doubled, jumping from 10% to 19%.
A SHARP GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
Young Americans are leading this shift. Across the political spectrum, those under 50 are significantly more critical of Israel than older generations:
- Among Republicans aged 18–49, 50% now hold negative views, up from 35% in 2022.
- For Democrats under 50, the numbers are even starker, with 71% expressing negative views, up from 62%.
DEEP PARTISAN AND RELIGIOUS SPLITS
Overall, Democrats (69%) are far more likely than Republicans (37%) to view Israel unfavorably. This partisan gap is mirrored in attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where 56% of Democrats believe a two-state solution is viable, compared to just 36% of Republicans.
RELIGIOUS IDENTITY ALSO PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE:
- Jewish Americans (73%) and white evangelical Christians (72%) express the most favorable views toward Israel.
- In contrast, 81% of Muslim Americans hold unfavorable views—the highest of any group—followed by religiously unaffiliated Americans (69%) and Catholics (53%).
The poll also finds that the ongoing war in Gaza is seen as personally important by 93% of Jewish Americans and 68% of Muslim Americans, underscoring the emotional weight the conflict carries in religious communities.
DISTRUST IN ISRAELI LEADERSHIP
Another notable finding is that half of Americans lack confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to handle world affairs, further signaling discomfort with current Israeli policies.
GROWING GAP BETWEEN POLICY AND PUBLIC OPINION
The poll’s results suggest a widening rift between American public opinion and U.S. government policy toward Israel. As younger generations and diverse communities become increasingly skeptical of Israel’s actions, pressure may mount on policymakers to reassess the U.S.-Israel relationship.