A new AP-NORC poll reveals that bipartisan support for Israel in the United States has undergone a significant erosion, driven by partisan and generational divisions regarding the ongoing war in Gaza. Roughly one-third of American adults now believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians, marking a shift in public opinion nearly three years after the conflict began.
Why has support for Israel shifted among American voters?
The latest survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research from June 11-17, 2026, highlights a growing divide. While American sympathies had been moving away from Israel since 2020, that trend accelerated sharply following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. According to the data, 58% of Democrats now believe the U.S. is “too supportive” of Israel, a notable increase from 45% in January 2024. Among Jewish adults, 30% say Israel has committed genocide, while 49% disagree.
Public opinion remains split on the conduct of the war. While many Americans view the initial Israeli retaliation to the Hamas attack as justified, a majority think its current actions are not. This sentiment is echoed by individuals like Harold Kalmus, a 69-year-old Democrat from Delaware, who stated, “They’re trying to wipe out a civilization as far as I’m concerned.”
How do partisan and generational lines impact the issue?
The data shows that age and party affiliation are key indicators of how Americans view the U.S.-Israel relationship. Among Republicans, 60% describe U.S. support for Israel as “about right,” with only 13% labeling Israel’s actions as genocide. However, a generational gap persists within the GOP; Republicans under 45 are more likely to characterize the U.S. as “too supportive” of Israel than their older counterparts.
For Democrats, the shift is more pronounced. Older Democrats are increasingly aligning with younger members in their criticism, with 57% of older Democrats now stating the U.S. should do more for Palestinians, up from 39% two years ago. Retired home economics teacher Joy Jennik, a 73-year-old Democrat, noted, “The Gaza Strip, there’s not a lot left of it. Those poor people are barely living.”
What happens next in the U.S.-Israel political landscape?
As the U.S. approaches the midterm elections, the relationship with Israel may remain a point of friction, though it faces competition from domestic economic concerns. Only about one-third of Americans consider Israel an “extremely” or “very” important personal issue. Vice President JD Vance has recently criticized Israeli leaders who voiced frustration with President Donald Trump, while primary results in states like New York and Colorado have seen candidates critical of Israel defeat establishment-backed Democrats.
The future of the U.S.-Israel policy could be influenced by these midterm results, which will determine the balance of power in Congress for the final two years of the Trump administration. For many voters, however, the conflict remains a secondary concern. As Michael Ripka, a 34-year-old voter from Wyoming, observed, “Everything is mad expensive,” suggesting that for some, the Middle East conflict serves as a distraction from pressing domestic economic issues.
