Public sentiment toward Israel and its leadership has reached a new low in the United States, as a growing number of Americans express disapproval of the Israeli government and its prime minister. The shift reflects a deepening rift in how the American public perceives the strategic and moral dimensions of the U.S.-Israel alliance, particularly as the region remains engulfed in conflict.
According to new data from the Pew Research Center, 60% of U.S. Adults now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, a significant increase from 53% just one year ago. This downward trend has accelerated since 2022, when only 42% of Americans viewed the country unfavorably. The data was collected between March 23 and 29, 2026, approximately one month into a joint U.S.- and Israeli-led military campaign in Iran.
The most striking aspect of the decline is the emergence of a bipartisan generational divide. While older Americans remain more likely to support Israel, a majority of adults under the age of 50—across both major political parties—now rate Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negatively. This suggests that US views of Israel are not merely shifting along partisan lines, but are being reshaped by a fundamental change in perspective among younger generations.
A deepening generational and political rift
The erosion of support is most pronounced among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 80% of whom now hold an unfavorable view of Israel. This represents a sharp climb from 69% last year and 53% in 2022. Within this group, the sentiment is even more intense among those under 50, who are more likely than their older counterparts to describe their view of Israel as very unfavorable (47% vs. 39%).
While Republicans and Republican leaners generally maintain a more positive outlook—with 58% viewing Israel favorably compared to 41% unfavorably—the party is no longer a monolith. The share of Republicans with a negative view has risen, driven almost entirely by younger members. Today, 57% of Republicans between the ages of 18 and 49 hold an unfavorable opinion of Israel, up from 50% a year ago.
Religious affiliation continues to be a primary predictor of these views. Jewish Americans (64%) and White evangelical Protestants (65%) maintain mostly positive perceptions of Israel. Conversely, favorable views are rare among Muslim Americans, where only 4% see Israel positively. Other groups, including Catholics (35%), Black Protestants (33%), and the religiously unaffiliated (22%), also report low levels of favorability.
Confidence in leadership reaches new lows
The disapproval of the Israeli state is mirrored by a collapse in confidence in its leadership. Nearly six-in-ten Americans (59%) now report having little or no confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do the right thing regarding world affairs. This represents a 7-point increase from last year and a nearly 20-point drop since 2023.
The lack of confidence in Netanyahu is nearly universal among Democrats, with 76% lacking confidence. More than half of all Democrats (52%) state they have no confidence at all in the prime minister, a figure that has jumped from 37% in the previous year.
Republicans are now almost evenly split on Netanyahu’s leadership. While 45% maintain some level of confidence in him, 44% now report little or no confidence. This represents a notable shift in the Republican base, where previous surveys consistently showed higher levels of support for the Israeli prime minister. The divide here is also age-dependent: Republicans 50 and older are twice as likely as those under 50 to trust Netanyahu’s handling of world affairs (58% vs. 30%).
| Date | Unfavorable View of Israel | No Confidence in Netanyahu |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2022 | 42% | N/A |
| Spring 2025 | 53% | 52% |
| Spring 2026 | 60% | 59% |
The Trump factor and the Iran conflict
The survey also examined the role of the U.S. Presidency in managing this fragile relationship. More than half of Americans (55%) lack confidence in President Donald Trump to make sound decisions regarding the U.S.-Israel relationship. While this sentiment has remained relatively stable since August 2025, it highlights a persistent skepticism about the administration’s approach.
There is a stark partisan divide on this issue: 73% of Republicans express confidence in Trump’s handling of the relationship, while only 16% of Democrats do. Though, even within the GOP, a generational gap is visible. Republicans under 30 are significantly less likely to trust Trump’s management of the alliance than those 65 and older (52% vs. 93%).
The timing of the survey—occurring during the military campaign in Iran—adds critical context. While 53% of Americans say the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is personally important to them, they are far more concerned with the broader regional war. Approximately 77% of Americans describe the U.S. Military action against Iran as personally important, with 48% calling it very important, compared to only 22% who feel the same about the Hamas conflict.
This suggests that while the Gaza conflict remains a potent symbol of the moral and political divide, the immediate geopolitical risks associated with Iran are now the primary driver of American concern and anxiety.
As the U.S.-led campaign in Iran continues, the next major checkpoint for these views will likely be the upcoming quarterly foreign policy review and the next round of congressional hearings on military aid to the region. These events will provide a clearer picture of whether the current dip in support is a temporary reaction to the war or a permanent realignment of American foreign policy values.
Do you think the generational divide in foreign policy will change how the U.S. Handles its alliances in the coming decade? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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