U.S. Public Opinion on Israel and Palestine

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.