Overview
- A large Pew Research Center survey released July 9 found favorability for the Israeli people fell from 67% in 2022 to 52% in 2026 while Palestinian favorability stayed near 50%, based on 12,574 U.S. adults surveyed in May.
- An AP-NORC poll of 3,040 adults in June, including 1,022 Jewish respondents, reported that roughly one-third of Americans and about 30% of Jewish respondents said Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide and that Israel’s prime minister is widely viewed unfavorably by Jewish adults.
- Pew and AP-NORC both show sharp partisan and age gaps: roughly 65% of Republicans view Israelis favorably versus 43% of Democrats, while adults under 30 are more likely to view Palestinians positively than Israelis.
- Religious institutions and activists have responded to the polling with high-profile actions, including faith-led protests near a Christians United for Israel summit and votes by bodies such as the American Academy of Religion and the Presbyterian General Assembly characterizing Israel’s conduct as genocide.
- The polls deepen an emerging political challenge for U.S. leaders because falling public support for Israel and rising concerns among Jewish Americans about safety and representation could push lawmakers and religious groups to reassess military and diplomatic backing.