Support for the U.S.'s backing of Israel's actions in Gaza diminishes, as Democratic opposition intensifies and the MAGA faction fractures.
In a significant development, a July 2025 Gallup poll has revealed a decline in support for Israel's military actions in Gaza, with approval now at a low of around 32% and disapproval at 60%. This trend is particularly noticeable among Democrats and independents, with Democratic approval as low as 8% and independent approval at 25%. In contrast, Republican support remains high, hovering around 71%[1][2][3].
This partisan divide is deepening, with Democrats, youth (ages 18-34), women, and people of color expressing greater opposition to Israel's actions and negative views of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who now has a net unfavorable rating among Americans at 52% disapproval versus 29% approval[3]. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, including reports of starvation and food restrictions, has also contributed to the drop in American support[2][4].
The changing American public opinion landscape on Israel and Gaza introduces a complex and potentially contentious issue heading into the upcoming 2026 and 2028 Democratic primaries. Democratic candidates will face pressure to more critically address Israel's military actions and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to align with the views of the Democratic base, particularly younger voters and progressives who are highly disapproving[1]. The issue could become a key dividing line within the Democratic Party, influencing primary debates on foreign policy, human rights, and U.S. aid to Israel. Candidates perceived as too supportive of Israel's current military approach could face backlash or challenges from more progressive rivals advocating for Palestinian rights and a reevaluation of U.S.-Israel relations[1].
Meanwhile, Republican candidates are likely to maintain or increase pro-Israel rhetoric, leveraging the strong Republican base support for Israel's military actions[1][3][4].
In other developments, a competitive Senate contest is scheduled for 2026 in Michigan, which has a large Arab-American population. The United Kingdom announced this week that it would recognize a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly unless Israel takes major steps to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The former aides to President Barack Obama who host the "Pod Save America" podcast argued this week that Democratic candidates should stop supporting military aid for Israel. In the battleground state of Michigan, the issue of support for Israel has been a challenge for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris[1].
Progressive Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee supported a recent amendment to strip $500 million in funding for Israel's missile defense systems from a defense appropriations bill. Trump disputed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's weekend assertion that there is "no starvation in Gaza." Trump said, "That's real starvation stuff."
References:
[1] ABC News. (2025, July). Gallup Poll Shows Record Low Support for Israel's Military Actions in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/gallup-poll-shows-record-low-support-israels-military-79531889
[2] The New York Times. (2025, July). United Nations Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/world/middleeast/united-nations-gaza-crisis.html
[3] Pew Research Center. (2025, July). American Public Opinion on Israel and Palestine. [online] Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2025/07/08/american-public-opinion-on-israel-and-the-palestinians/
[4] The Washington Post. (2025, July). Gaza Crisis Deepens, with No End in Sight. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/gaza-crisis-deepens-with-no-end-in-sight/2025/07/10/b143a8e0-936d-11ed-b86c-984e0a699913_story.html
- The changing American public opinion on Israel and Gaza, marked by a decline in support for Israel's military actions in Gaza and increased opposition among Democrats, youth, women, and people of color, is set to introduce a complex and potentially contentious issue in the upcoming 2026 and 2028 Democratic primaries.
- In contrast, Republican support for Israel remains high, making pro-Israel rhetoric a likely strategy for Republican candidates in the upcoming political elections.
