A recent poll conducted by Big Data Poll (BDP) indicates that U.S. voters’ sympathy for Israel has reached an all-time low. The survey, which gathered responses from 2,005 registered voters, found that 29.1% supported Israel, 21.4% backed the Palestinian cause, and nearly 30% aligned with neither side. This reflects a growing weariness over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to BDP Director Rich Baris, the only significant demographic showing strong support for Israel is Republican voters over the age of 50.
The survey underscores a significant shift in public sentiment, particularly as it relates to the Gaza conflict. The situation has been marked by a rising number of casualties, especially among Palestinians, which has had an impact on the perception of U.S. voters. The recent ceasefire, which came into effect last month, saw the return of the last remaining Israeli hostages captured during the 2023 attack in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
According to BDP, public sympathy for Israel surged to 54% shortly after the surprise Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and prompted Israel’s bombing campaign and ground invasion of Gaza. However, this support has since declined as the death toll in Gaza has risen. Local health officials estimate that nearly 70,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with the BDP poll indicating that nearly 40% of registered U.S. voters believe Israel’s actions amount to genocide, while nearly 30% disagree with this. The ceasefire has taken effect, yet it remains uncertain whether this will lead to a significant change in public opinion.