Throughout the war, the US administration has provided backing and support for Israeli interests, but an examination of American public opinion shows a different picture regarding support for Israel in the face of the war. According to a YouGov poll conducted between October 16-19, 61 percent of Republican voters expressed support for Israel in the face of the war, 2 percent support the Palestinians, and 24 percent expressed sympathy for both sides to the same extent (12 percent were not sure). These figures are in stark contrast to the 18 percent who support Israel and 17 percent who support the Palestinians among Democratic voters. A majority of Democrat voters (about 48 percent) said they support both sides equally, and about 17 percent reported they were unsure.
These data join a survey conducted by Gallup before the war in January 2023, in which an increase of approximately 11 percent was recorded in support for the Palestinian side by Democratic Party voters, from 38 percent in 2022 to 49 percent in 2023. Similarly, sympathy for the Israeli people dropped to 38 percent, and those who do not favor either side dropped to 13 percent – a new low compared to previous years. Since January 2023, the overall sympathy of American society stands at about 54 percent toward Israel, 31 percent toward the Palestinians, and 15 percent who do not favor one side over the other.
Other surveys have also indicated an intergenerational gap, with higher support for the Palestinians in the US recorded among the younger generation than in the older generation. These data correlate with the pro-Palestinian demonstrations with many participants – mainly among young Americans – across US campuses, and significant demonstrations throughout major cities. In view of the considerable influence of public opinion on decision makers in general, including on legislators in the Democratic Party, it is important to focus the public diplomacy effort within the American audience, and in particular among young people and supporters of the Democratic Party. In addition, it is important to be familiar with their narrative and to examine the reasons for the low percentages of support in Israel, and to take into account the importance of internal legitimacy regarding support for Israel by the US administration, particularly in the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections.
Throughout the war, the US administration has provided backing and support for Israeli interests, but an examination of American public opinion shows a different picture regarding support for Israel in the face of the war. According to a YouGov poll conducted between October 16-19, 61 percent of Republican voters expressed support for Israel in the face of the war, 2 percent support the Palestinians, and 24 percent expressed sympathy for both sides to the same extent (12 percent were not sure). These figures are in stark contrast to the 18 percent who support Israel and 17 percent who support the Palestinians among Democratic voters. A majority of Democrat voters (about 48 percent) said they support both sides equally, and about 17 percent reported they were unsure.
These data join a survey conducted by Gallup before the war in January 2023, in which an increase of approximately 11 percent was recorded in support for the Palestinian side by Democratic Party voters, from 38 percent in 2022 to 49 percent in 2023. Similarly, sympathy for the Israeli people dropped to 38 percent, and those who do not favor either side dropped to 13 percent – a new low compared to previous years. Since January 2023, the overall sympathy of American society stands at about 54 percent toward Israel, 31 percent toward the Palestinians, and 15 percent who do not favor one side over the other.
Other surveys have also indicated an intergenerational gap, with higher support for the Palestinians in the US recorded among the younger generation than in the older generation. These data correlate with the pro-Palestinian demonstrations with many participants – mainly among young Americans – across US campuses, and significant demonstrations throughout major cities. In view of the considerable influence of public opinion on decision makers in general, including on legislators in the Democratic Party, it is important to focus the public diplomacy effort within the American audience, and in particular among young people and supporters of the Democratic Party. In addition, it is important to be familiar with their narrative and to examine the reasons for the low percentages of support in Israel, and to take into account the importance of internal legitimacy regarding support for Israel by the US administration, particularly in the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections.