Gallup Poll Reveals Majority of Democrats Hold Anti-Israel Views for the First Time in History

Gallup Poll Reveals Majority of Democrats Hold Anti-Israel Views for the First Time in History

Edited by: Fern Sidman

A stunning new Gallup poll has revealed that more than half of Democrats now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, marking a historic shift in public opinion. According to a recently published report in The New York Post, the poll found that only 33% of Democrats expressed a favorable opinion of Israel, while a staggering 60% viewed the Jewish state unfavorably—a record-breaking figure since Gallup first began tracking this sentiment in 1989.

The data marks a significant political divide, as The New York Post reported that Republican support for Israel remains overwhelmingly strong. 83% of Republicans surveyed held a favorable view of Israel, with just 13% unfavorable and 4% undecided. The partisan gap—now a massive 50 points—is the largest ever recorded, according to Gallup.

“This year marks the first time any party group has had majority-level unfavorable ratings of Israel, with 60% of Democrats expressing that view,” Gallup stated, as cited by The New York Post.

Beyond party divisions, The New York Post reported that overall American support for Israel has reached its lowest point since 2000. The poll found that 54% of Americans now hold a favorable view of Israel, while 41% view it unfavorably.

One of the most striking findings in the survey, according to The New York Post, is the hostility among younger Americans. Among those aged 18 to 34, 56% have an unfavorable view of Israel, compared to just 38% who hold a favorable opinion. This generational divide suggests that younger voters—who are shaping the future of American politics—are increasingly critical of the Jewish state.

The dramatic drop in Democratic support for Israel comes amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas. The New York Post report noted that the war has exacerbated political tensions, fueling a wave of anti-Israel protests, campus takeovers, and anti-Semitic incidents across the United States.

As The New York Post reported, anti-Israel activism on college campuses has intensified, with some demonstrations turning violent. Protesters have engaged in vandalism, stormed university buildings, and, in the most extreme cases, physically attacked individuals, including an incident at Barnard College on Wednesday, where a mob of masked demonstrators assaulted a security officer.

The surge in anti-Israel sentiment among Democrats, as analyzed by Gallup and cited by The New York Post, likely reflects opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Gallup also suggests that Democratic disapproval of Israel could be partially attributed to former President Trump’s strong pro-Israel stance, including his recent White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The New York Post report shed light on the historic nature of the current political divide over Israel. Gallup’s analysis shows that the gap between Republican and Democratic support for Israel has widened dramatically. While Republicans have consistently viewed Israel favorably for decades, Democratic support has now plummeted to unprecedented levels.

Gallup noted that the 50-point partisan divide in Israel’s favorability ratings is nearly three times larger than the 18-point gap that existed between Republicans and Democrats between 2001 and 2023. The prior record for a partisan gap was a 30-point difference, recorded just last year—making this year’s jump a striking shift in American public opinion.

Independent voters are divided on the issue. According to the poll, 48% of independents hold a favorable opinion of Israel, while 44% view it unfavorably. The New York Post reported that these numbers suggest that while independent voters remain split, the overall trend is moving toward greater skepticism of Israel, especially among younger demographics.

The poll also measured American views of other countries, revealing sharp partisan differences in how Democrats and Republicans perceive foreign nations. The New York Post reports that 83% of Democrats view Mexico favorably, compared to only 47% of Republicans. In addition, 84% of Democrats hold a positive view of Ukraine, while just 54% of Republicans do.

These findings indicate that Democrats and Republicans are increasingly at odds not only over Israel but also over America’s relationships with other key allies and global partners.

The report also highlighted the implications of this major shift in public opinion, particularly as it relates to U.S. foreign policy and future elections. With Democratic disapproval of Israel at an all-time high, the once bipartisan support for the Jewish state is rapidly eroding—a trend that could reshape American diplomatic strategy and electoral politics.

The Gallup poll, conducted from February 3 to 16, surveyed 775 Americans and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, according to The New York Post.

As Democratic opposition to Israel intensifies, the political debate surrounding U.S.-Israel relations is becoming more polarizing than ever before. Whether this anti-Israel sentiment will continue to grow—or if support for the Jewish state will rebound—remains an open question. But one thing is clear: the deep partisan divide over Israel is now an undeniable reality in American politics.