Gallup: Israel’s Gaza Support Drops Among Democrats, Independents/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ A new Gallup poll shows sharp declines in U.S. approval of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, especially among Democrats and independents. Only about one-third of Americans support the offensive, with most disapproving of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership. Republicans remain largely supportive, illustrating a growing political divide.
Gaza War Poll Results Quick Looks
- 33% of U.S. adults approve of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza
- 60% disapprove, up from 45% in November 2023
- Only 8% of Democrats support Israel’s actions, down significantly
- Just 25% of independents approve of the offensive
- Majority of Americans (52%) view Netanyahu unfavorably
- Republicans remain steadfast: 2 in 3 approve of Netanyahu, 80% support Trump’s Middle East policy
- Approval among young adults plunges: Only 1 in 10 under age 35 back Israeli military actions
- Gallup poll conducted July 7–21, 2025, before Trump’s latest Gaza remarks
- Humanitarian crisis in Gaza a driving factor in changing public opinion
- Democratic Party’s Gaza stance more fractured, especially post-Biden exit
Deep Look: U.S. Support for Israel’s Gaza Campaign Drops Sharply Among Democrats and Independents
WASHINGTON (AP) — Public support in the United States for Israel’s military operations in Gaza has dropped sharply, especially among Democrats and independents, according to a new Gallup poll conducted between July 7 and July 21. Only 33% of U.S. adults now approve of Israel’s actions, a stark contrast to the roughly 50% who supported the military campaign at the start of the war in October 2023.
The poll results come amid intensifying criticism over civilian casualties and growing famine conditions in Gaza. Israel’s restriction of food and medical aid, along with continuous airstrikes, has drawn global condemnation and significantly influenced American public sentiment, the survey suggests.
Political Divide Deepens on Gaza Conflict
While overall support has decreased, the data reveals a sharp partisan split. Among Democrats, only 8% now support Israel’s actions — a drop of more than 30 points since November 2023. Independents are also turning away, with just 1 in 4 expressing support for the military campaign. In contrast, Republicans remain strongly aligned with Israel, with around two-thirds continuing to approve of both the military actions and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Gallup senior editor Megan Brenan confirmed that the decline in support is concentrated almost entirely among Democrats and independents, while Republicans appear largely unmoved by the worsening humanitarian situation.
“We’ve seen this drop in approval since last fall, and it’s really driven by Democrats and independents,” Brenan said. “Republicans are still willing to be in this for the time being.”
Netanyahu’s Image at Historic Low in U.S.
The same Gallup poll also found Netanyahu’s favorability in the U.S. at its lowest since 1997. Just 29% of Americans view the Israeli prime minister favorably, while 52% express an unfavorable opinion — a significant deterioration since December 2023, when 47% had a negative view.
This unfavorable shift is even more pronounced among Democrats, with only 10% viewing Netanyahu positively. Just 20% of independents share a favorable opinion. In contrast, two-thirds of Republicans continue to support Netanyahu, consistent with past polling.
“This is the first time we’ve seen a majority of Americans with an unfavorable view of him,” Brenan added.
Trump Maintains Republican Base Support Despite Backlash
Although a July AP-NORC poll shows 55% of U.S. adults disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the Middle East conflict, the former president remains largely unscathed by the war politically. Eight in ten Republicans support Trump’s policies, reflecting the alignment between Republican voters and the Israeli government.
This differs significantly from former President Joe Biden, who faced internal Democratic backlash over his handling of the Gaza war. Discontent over Biden’s Middle East policy likely contributed to his decision not to seek re-election in 2024.
In contrast, Trump has managed to avoid a similar fate, thanks to unwavering support from the Republican base — even as humanitarian images and famine reports from Gaza have shaken the broader public.
Age and Humanitarian Concerns Drive Opposition
Opposition to Israel’s military campaign is also generational. Only 10% of adults under 35 approve of Israel’s actions in Gaza, compared with about half of Americans aged 55 and older. Young voters appear particularly influenced by images of malnourished children, destroyed infrastructure, and mounting civilian deaths.
According to the same Gallup poll, more Americans now prioritize humanitarian relief to Palestinians over military aid to Israel — a trend especially pronounced among Democrats. Republicans, however, remain focused on military support for Israel, revealing further divergence in public priorities.
U.S. Public Opinion Pressures Israel’s Global Standing
As the Gaza conflict nears two years, Israel’s international reputation is under strain, and waning U.S. public support may impact future military aid packages and diplomatic relations. Despite Netanyahu’s insistence that Israel is not pursuing starvation policies, more Americans — particularly younger and left-leaning voters — are skeptical of Israeli government narratives.
Gallup’s findings may prompt reassessment within Israel’s diplomatic strategy, particularly as the nation relies heavily on U.S. political and financial support. With upcoming elections and ongoing global unrest, public opinion in the U.S. could become a significant factor in shaping future policy decisions related to the Middle East.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.