Shifting American Sympathies: Support for Palestinians Surges, Challenging Decades of Pro-Israel Sentiment
American public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has undergone a dramatic shift, with sympathies increasingly aligning with Palestinians, according to recent polling data. This marks a significant departure from decades of overwhelming support for Israel, a change accelerated by the ongoing war in Gaza.
A Historic Reversal
Just three years ago, a Gallup poll revealed that 54% of Americans sympathized more with Israelis, compared to 31% for Palestinians. As of February 2026, support is now roughly balanced, with 41% expressing greater sympathy for Palestinians and 36% for Israelis. This represents the first time parity has been reached in Gallup’s tracking of this issue.
“It’s the first time they have reached parity, which is really quite striking,” said Benedict Vigers, a senior global news writer at Gallup. “In not many years, that very significant gap in public opinion has now completely closed.”
The Democratic Divide
The shift in sentiment is largely driven by Democrats, who are now significantly more likely to sympathize with Palestinians. Approximately two-thirds of Democrats now express greater concern for Palestinians, a stark contrast to 2016, when roughly half sympathized with Israelis and only a quarter with Palestinians. This evolving perspective has turn into a major dividing line within the Democratic Party, particularly regarding U.S. Assistance to Israel.
Data indicates the shift began before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and intensified during Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza.
Generational Differences
Younger Americans, aged 18 to 34, are at the forefront of this changing sentiment. Support for Palestinians among this demographic has been growing since around 2020, reaching a new high this year, with approximately half expressing greater sympathy for Palestinians compared to about a quarter for Israelis. This trend coincides with student protests on college campuses advocating for divestment from companies supporting Israel.
However, the shift isn’t solely a generational phenomenon. Middle-aged Americans (35-54) are too now more likely to sympathize with Palestinians than Israelis, a reversal from the previous year. While Americans over 55 remain more sympathetic to Israel, that gap is narrowing.
Views on a Palestinian State
A majority of U.S. Adults (57%) favor the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a figure consistent with support levels since 2020. However, party polarization on this issue is significant. Approximately three-quarters of Democrats and 60% of independents support a two-state solution, while only about one-third of Republicans agree.
Interestingly, support for a two-state solution is considerably lower among Israelis and Palestinians themselves. A 2025 Gallup World Poll found that only about 3 in 10 Israelis and Palestinians support a two-state solution.
Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy
The changing American sentiment towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has profound implications for U.S. Politics and foreign policy. The conflict has been a point of tension within the Biden administration and a key issue in the 2024 presidential election. The shift in public opinion may influence future U.S. Policy decisions regarding aid to Israel and its role in the region.
Some figures within the Republican Party’s “America First” wing are also beginning to question traditional U.S. Support for Israel.