New Pew poll shows support for Israel plummeting in the US

A clear majority of Americans now view Israel unfavourably, according to a new Pew Research Center survey, in the latest sign of collapsing public support for the occupation state. Pew found that 60 per cent of US adults now have an unfavourable opinion of Israel, while just 37 per cent express a favourable view.

The figures mark a sharp deterioration from last year, when 53 per cent of Americans viewed Israel negatively. Pew said the share of Americans with a “very unfavourable” view has also surged to 28 per cent, up nine points in a year and nearly triple the level recorded in 2022. 

The survey, conducted between 23 and 29 March among 3,507 US adults, suggests that Israel’s standing in the US has continued to erode even after decades of political, media and diplomatic protection from Washington.

The collapse in support for Israel is even stark among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents. Eighty per cent of Democratic voters now hold an unfavourable view of Israel, up from 69 per cent last year and 53 per cent in 2022. Among Republicans and Republican leaners, 41 per cent now view Israel negatively, although a majority in that camp still retain a favourable opinion overall. 

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This trend however does not continue with the younger generation where the shift is even more striking. Pew found that 57 per cent of Republicans aged 18 to 49 now hold an unfavourable view of Israel, up from 50 per cent last year. It also reported that in both major parties, majorities of adults under 50 now rate both Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu negatively. Among Democrats, younger respondents were also more likely than older ones to say they held a “very unfavourable” view of Israel.

Netanyahu himself fares even worse. Just 27 per cent of Americans say they have confidence in the Israeli prime minister to do the right thing regarding world affairs, while 59 per cent say they have little or no confidence in him. 

Among Democrats, 76 per cent lack confidence in Netanyahu. Republicans are now split, with 45 per cent expressing confidence and 44 per cent saying they have little or no confidence. Pew also found that younger Republicans are far less supportive of Netanyahu than their elders.

The poll points to a deepening crisis in Israel’s image in its most important Western backer. Public opinion in the US has moved steadily against Israel since 2022, with support weakening most sharply among Democrats and younger voters. 

READ: Poll finds most Americans hold unfavourable views of Israel