Gallup survey shows US public sympathy shifts to Palestinians

For the first time since 2001, more Americans sympathise with Palestinians than with Israelis, a Gallup survey in 2026 has found. Only 36 per cent of Americans now sympathise more with Israelis, while 41 per cent sympathise more with Palestinians. The shift is most pronounced among Americans aged 18 to 34, where 53 per cent side with Palestinians and only 23 per cent with Israelis. Among Democrats, 65 per cent favour Palestinians.

National Herald India reports that the trend is confirmed by Pew Research Center data, which shows 60 per cent of Americans viewed Israel unfavourably in 2026, up from 42 per cent in 2022. Confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also fallen: 59 per cent of Americans have little or no confidence in him, rising to 76 per cent among Democrats. Even Republican sympathy for Israel has declined from 80 per cent in 2024 to 70 per cent in 2026.

The report attributes the change to Israel's military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Iran, as well as the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Netanyahu. It notes that US diplomatic support has been critical, with Washington casting six vetoes on Gaza-related UN Security Council resolutions since October 2023, including one in September 2025 supported by 14 other council members.