Poll reveals waning U.S. support for Israel

A recent Quinnipiac University Poll reveals a significant decline in American voters’ belief that U.S. support for Israel aligns with national interests, particularly following the ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The survey, conducted from September 18-21 with 1,276 registered voters, indicates that only 47% now view support for Israel as serving U.S. interests, a decrease from 69% in December 2023. In contrast, 41% express the view that such support does not benefit the U.S., marking a shift in public sentiment since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Negative perceptions also extend to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with only 21% of respondents holding a favorable view of him. Nearly half, at 49%, view him unfavorably, while the remaining respondents either withheld their opinions or were unaware enough to give one. This disapproval aligns with broader concerns about how U.S. President Donald Trump is managing the Israel-Hamas conflict; just 31% approve of his approach, with a significant 56% expressing disapproval.

The poll further highlights a contrasting perspective on U.S. support for Ukraine, garnering much stronger approval among voters. Approximately 64% of respondents believe that support for Ukraine serves U.S. national interests, in stark contrast to only 26% who disagree. This sentiment extends across party lines, with 50% of self-identified Republicans affirming that aiding Ukraine is beneficial to U.S. interests.

Additionally, a separate Quinnipiac survey from August indicates that over 50% of respondents perceive Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, including a notable segment of Republican voters. Recent findings from other surveys support this trend, illustrating a shift in sympathies where more Americans now express sympathy for Palestinians over Israelis, a first in recent polling history.

The poll also reveals marked partisan divides in opinions regarding support for Israel. While 75% of Republicans affirm that backing Israel serves U.S. interests, only 36% of Democrats and 37% of Independents share that view. A notable portion of Independents (53%) believes this support does not enhance U.S. national interests, with 19% of Republicans aligning with that perspective. Overall, these findings depict a growing complexity in American public opinion about international support dynamics, particularly concerning Israel and Palestine.