Shift in American Sympathy: Palestinians Surpass Israelis for the First Time

A recent Gallup poll indicates a significant shift in American public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, revealing that for the first time in over two decades, Americans express more sympathy for Palestinians than for Israelis. The poll, conducted from February 2 to February 16, 2026, shows a narrow margin where 41% of respondents sympathize with Palestinians compared to 40% with Israelis, a stark contrast to the previous year when sympathies favored Israel by 46% to 33%.

GallupPoll: 57% of Americans Support Establishment of a Palestinian StateAl Jazeera (website)US Support for Israel Plummets, Poll Reveals Shift in Sympathy

Historically, from 2001 to 2025, Israelis maintained a substantial lead in American sympathies, often averaging a 43-point gap. However, this trend began to narrow in 2019, well before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent military operations in Gaza. The cumulative effect of changing U.S. attitudes has led to this unprecedented shift, particularly among independents and younger voters.

Gallup

The decline in support for Israel is particularly pronounced among political independents, whose favorability toward Israel has dropped by 26 points since February 2023. Among Democrats, 48% now view the Palestinian Territories favorably, compared to just 34% for Israel. Republican support for Israel remains the strongest among party lines, with 70% expressing sympathy, although this figure has decreased by 10 points since 2024, marking its lowest level since 2004.

GallupUS Support for Israel Plummets, Poll Reveals Shift in SympathyAl Jazeera (website)Associated PressVox

The poll also reveals that 57% of Americans support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a figure consistent with previous years and indicative of a broader acceptance of a two-state solution. Support for this idea is particularly high among Democrats (77%) and a majority of independents (57%), while only about one-third of Republicans share this view.

Gallup

Benedict Vigers, a senior global news writer at Gallup, noted, “It’s the first time they have reached parity, which is really quite striking.” This sentiment reflects a growing divide within American political discourse regarding support for Israel, especially among younger voters and independents who are increasingly critical of Israeli policies.

Critics of U.S. support for Israel argue that the shift in public opinion is a response to Israel's military actions in Gaza, which many perceive as excessive. Some Democratic voters have expressed disappointment in President Joe Biden's administration for not taking a stronger stance against Israeli military operations. Additionally, figures within the Republican Party, particularly from the isolationist wing, have begun to question the traditional support for Israel, citing concerns over its influence on U.S. politics.

While the Gallup poll indicates a shift in sympathies, it is important to note that the five-percentage-point difference is not statistically significant. Some reports suggest that while overall support for Israel has declined, a larger percentage of Americans still view Israel favorably compared to the Palestinian Territories.

This shift in American sympathies could have profound implications for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. As public opinion continues to evolve, it may influence political leaders to reconsider their approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in light of ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns in Gaza. The changing landscape of American attitudes reflects a growing complexity in the U.S.-Israel relationship, suggesting that traditional bipartisan support may no longer be as robust as it once was.