New Gallup Poll Reveals Shifting US Sympathy on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

A recent Gallup poll published Thursday has revealed a significant shift in American public opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with fewer Americans sympathizing more with Israel than with Palestine. For the first time in years, less than half of Americans express stronger support for Israelis.

According to the poll, only 46% of respondents now sympathize more with Israelis, while 33% sympathize more with Palestinians. This marks the smallest gap since 2001, when 51% sympathized more with Israel, and just 16% leaned toward the Palestinians. The new 13-point gap represents a notable decrease from the historical support Israel has received from Americans, especially in the last decade.

The shift in public opinion comes amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which began with the deadly October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 48,000 people reportedly killed or presumed dead in Gaza, though the accuracy of these numbers and the differentiation between fighters and civilians remains unverified.

The poll, conducted in February, coincided with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington DC and US President Donald Trump's proposal to potentially take over the Gaza Strip, a suggestion Netanyahu publicly endorsed.

The decline in sympathy for Israel has been particularly sharp among Democrats. This year, only 21% of Democrats sympathize more with Israel, compared to 59% who favor Palestinians. This marks a significant shift from 2022, when sympathies were nearly equal at 40% for Israelis and 38% for Palestinians. In contrast, a decade ago, Democrats overwhelmingly sympathized with Israel.

Among Republicans, support for Israel has remained relatively steady, with 75% expressing sympathy for Israelis and only 10% for Palestinians. Independents show more balanced views, with 42% sympathizing with Israel and 34% with Palestinians.

Further data from the poll revealed that 55% of Americans, along with majorities of Democrats and independents, support the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, though support among Republicans stands at 41%.

Additionally, the poll found that only 40% of respondents approve of how President Trump has handled the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting some dissatisfaction with his administration's approach to the issue.