Decreased U.S. backing for Israel's Gaza actions, as Democratic opposition escalates and MAGA faction fractures
U.S. Public Opinion on Israel's Military Actions in Gaza Hits Record Low
Support for Israel's military actions in Gaza has reached a new low, with only 32% of U.S. adults approving, according to a Gallup poll released in July 2025. This represents a significant decline from previous years and reflects a deepening partisan divide.
Partisan Split
Republicans remain strongly supportive, with 71% approving of Israel’s military actions, an increase from 66% in September 2024. However, Democrats and independents show much lower approval, at 8% and 25% respectively. These figures mark the lowest levels of approval for these groups since polling began in late 2023. The decline in support among Democrats and independents has been sharp, dropping about 16 percentage points since the last measurement.
Humanitarian Concerns
The polarization also extends to views on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose unfavorable rating among U.S. adults has reached its highest since Gallup began polling him in 1997. This is largely due to the military campaign in Gaza and humanitarian concerns in the region.
Age Divide
While detailed breakdowns by age were not provided in the available sources, it is clear that the political party divide is the primary lens through which American opinion is currently split. Republicans prioritize military aid to Israel, whereas Democrats and independents tend to place higher importance on humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza.
Younger Generations
In perhaps the most ominous long-term sign for backers of Israel, the poll found just 9% support for its actions among those age 18-34 of all political parties. This suggests a potential shift in U.S. public opinion as younger generations come to prominence.
Calls for Change
Progressive Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee has called for stripping funding for Israel's missile defense systems, advocating for a permanent ceasefire, unconditional humanitarian aid, and an end to funding and supplying bombs for Gaza. Similarly, former aides to President Barack Obama who host the "Pod Save America" podcast argue that Democratic candidates should stop supporting military aid for Israel.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with hundreds of thousands of people enduring famine-like conditions. United Nations agencies are warning that "time is running out to mount a full-scale humanitarian response" in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Trump on Monday disputed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's weekend assertion that there is "no starvation in Gaza." Trump said, "That's real starvation stuff."
The statement made by a speaker suggests that Israel has the capability to commit genocide in Gaza but has chosen not to. Hundreds and hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died in order to minimize the deaths of Gaza Arabs, raising questions about the ethical implications of Israel's military actions.
The issue of support for Israel is expected to be a significant factor in the 2026 Senate contest in Michigan and in the primaries for the 2028 presidential election. The United Kingdom said this week it would recognize a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly unless Israel takes major steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how U.S. public opinion and political stances will evolve.
[1] Gallup Poll, July 2025 [2] CNN, various dates [3] The New York Times, various dates
- The political divide on the Israeli military actions in Gaza is becoming more pronounced, with a significant drop in support among Democrats and independents, while Republicans remain strongly in favor.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has resulted in famine-like conditions for hundreds of thousands of people, is spurring calls for change in U.S. foreign policy, with some politicians advocating for an end to funding for Israel's military aid and missile defense systems.
