NBC Poll Shows U.S. Opinion on Israel Turns Net Negative, Democrats Now Far More Sympathetic to Palestinians
An NBC News national poll conducted Feb. 27–March 2 finds only 32% of Americans now view Israel positively versus 39% negatively, a reversal from a 47%–34% positive edge three years ago, with the sharpest deterioration among Democrats and independents. Among Democrats, positive views of Israel have fallen to 13% while 57% view it negatively, and they now say they are more sympathetic to Palestinians than Israelis by 67% to 17%; independents have also shifted to a 37%–27% sympathy edge for Palestinians. Republicans remain strongly pro‑Israel, though support has softened slightly, with 54% positive vs. 18% negative and a 69%–13% sympathy split in Israel’s favor. Overall, Americans are nearly evenly divided on sympathies in the conflict—40% for Israel and 39% for Palestinians—compared with a 45%–13% pro‑Israel gap in 2013, and the poll highlights a pronounced generational divide, with younger Americans especially critical of Israel’s Gaza campaign. The survey was taken as U.S. and Israeli forces began strikes on Iran and more than two years into Israel’s war in Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities report over 72,000 killed, and its findings mirror rising unrest and primary‑season infighting inside the Democratic Party over U.S. policy toward Israel.
📌 Key Facts
- NBC News national poll fielded Feb. 27–March 2 finds 32% of Americans view Israel positively and 39% negatively, versus 47% positive and 34% negative three years ago.
- Among Democrats, just 13% now view Israel positively while 57% view it negatively, and they are more sympathetic to Palestinians than Israelis by 67% to 17%.
- Independents have shifted from a 40%–22% positive–negative view of Israel to 21%–48%, and from a 37%–10% sympathy edge for Israel to a 37%–27% edge for Palestinians.
- Republicans remain largely supportive of Israel, with views moving modestly from 63%–12% positive–negative in 2023 to 54%–18% now, and sympathies at 69% for Israel vs. 13% for Palestinians.
- Overall U.S. sympathies in the conflict are now nearly split, 40% for Israel and 39% for Palestinians, compared with 45%–13% in Israel’s favor in 2013.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2026, 53% of Americans aged 18-34 sympathize more with the Palestinians compared to 23% with the Israelis, while 46% of those aged 35-54 sympathize more with Palestinians versus 28% with Israelis, and 31% of those aged 55+ sympathize more with Palestinians versus 49% with Israelis.
Israelis No Longer Ahead in Americans' Middle East Sympathies — Gallup
In a 2024 poll, among Americans with an opinion, 33% of White Americans view Israel's actions in Gaza as justified in defending its interests, compared to 18% of Black Americans and 26% of Hispanic Americans who say Israel has gone too far and is not justified.
Israel’s War in Gaza: Partisan, Racial, and Generational Views on the U.S. Role in the Conflict — New America
The US Muslim population is estimated at 4.44 million in 2026 (about 1.3% of the total population), with approximately 72% being immigrants or second-generation, largely enabled by the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act that increased immigration from Muslim-majority countries.
Muslim Population by State 2026 — World Population Review
In a 2025 poll, 35% of American Muslims named the war in Gaza as a top policy priority for the 2024 election, compared to 10% of Jewish Americans and 3-4% of the general public.
American Muslim Poll 2025: Spotlight on Muslim Voters — Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU)
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