American Sympathy Shifts from Israel to Palestinians, Gallup Poll Finds

American sympathies in the Middle East have shifted dramatically toward the Palestinians, according to recent Gallup polling, after decades of overwhelming support for Israelis. This shift accelerated during the war in Gaza.

A Historic Shift in Public Opinion

Three years ago, 54% of Americans sympathized more with the Israelis, compared to 31% for the Palestinians. Now, support is about evenly balanced, with 41% saying their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, and only 36% saying the same about the Israelis. This marks the first time Gallup has recorded parity in sympathy levels between the two sides.

Driving Forces Behind the Change

The changing sentiment reflects growing contention surrounding support for Israel in the U.S., with significant implications for American politics and foreign policy. The shift began before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and increased during Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza.

Democratic Party Realignment

The shift in sympathy is largely driven by Democrats, who are now much more likely to sympathize with Palestinians. Approximately two-thirds of Democrats now express greater concern for the Palestinians, while only about 2 in 10 sympathize more with the Israelis. This contrasts sharply with 2016, when about half of Democrats sympathized more with Israelis and only about one-quarter with Palestinians.

Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy

U.S. Assistance to Israel has become a major dividing line in the Democratic Party’s primaries. The conflict has also created tension during President Joe Biden’s administration and the 2024 presidential election, with Democrats sharply divided on whether the U.S. Is too supportive of Israel, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in late 2023.

Shifting Views Across Demographics

Beyond Democrats, independents are also showing increased sympathy for Palestinians, expressing more sympathy for Palestinians than Israelis for the first time in Gallup’s polling. About 4 in 10 independents are more sympathetic toward the Palestinians, compared to about 3 in 10 for the Israelis.

Generational Divide

Younger adults (ages 18 to 34) are increasingly sympathetic toward the Palestinians, with about half expressing more sympathy for Palestinians compared to about a quarter for Israelis. Middle-aged Americans (35 to 54) have also shifted, now expressing more sympathy for Palestinians than Israelis. Even among those over 55, while still more sympathetic to Israel, the gap is narrowing.

Republican Sentiment

Most Republicans continue to side with Israel, with about 7 in 10 expressing more sympathy for Israelis, though this is a slight decrease from before the start of the war. Some within the Republican Party’s “America First” wing are also questioning traditional U.S. Support for Israel.

Support for a Two-State Solution

Approximately 6 in 10 U.S. Adults favor the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, a level of support consistent since 2020. Support is strongest among Democrats (about three-quarters) and independents (roughly 6 in 10), while only about one-third of Republicans agree.

Disconnect Between American and Regional Views

However, opinions on the ground in the region differ significantly. A 2025 Gallup World Poll found that only about 3 in 10 Israelis and Palestinians support a two-state solution, highlighting a disconnect between American views and those of the people directly affected.