Almost two years after Israel began its military action against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Americans are more disbelieving of Israel’s action and government than at previous moments in the conflict:
39% now believe that Israel is going too far in its military action against Hamas. That is a rise from 31% last year and 27% in late 2023. 59% now have an unfavorable view of the Israeli government, from 51% in early 2024. The chart indicates that 2 years into its warfare against Hamas, more Americans declare Israel is ‘going too far’
Now, 16% report that Israel is going roughly the right way on the conflict, and 10% report it isn’t going far enough. One-third of adults report they don’t know. Overwhelming portions of Americans remain in the undecided column on a number of questions regarding the Middle East war and the U.S. government’s reaction.
Historical Foundations
American support for Israel has roots in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. As the world witnessed the atrocities committed against the Jewish people, sympathy for their need for a secure homeland grew profoundly. When Israel declared independence in 1948, the United States became one of the first countries to recognize it.
This recognition was not merely diplomatic — it symbolized a moral commitment. Many Americans saw Israel as a nation reborn from tragedy, embodying the resilience and freedom they valued in their own national identity. Early American leaders drew parallels between the founding of Israel and the pioneering spirit of the United States, both representing new nations built upon democratic ideals and the pursuit of liberty.
Shared Values and Ideology
A key reason Americans support Israel is the perception of shared values. Both nations identify strongly with democracy, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. Israel is often described as “the only democracy in the Middle East,” a characterization that resonates with many Americans who view the country as a political and cultural ally in a turbulent region.
This democratic alignment reinforces a broader ideological bond. Americans tend to support nations that reflect their own values and worldview. The belief that Israel upholds Western principles of democracy, individual rights, and economic innovation creates a natural sense of solidarity between the two societies.
Pew Research Centre National Survey
Pew Research Center’s new national survey, conducted Sept. 22-28 among 3,445 adults, reports that 42% of U.S. adults disapprove of how the Trump administration has handled the fighting between Israel and Hamas, 30% approve, and about a quarter (27%) are unsure.
(The poll was taken prior to Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling earlier this week that Israel accepted a U.S.-brokered peace plan, which is something Hamas claims to be considering.)
The percentage of Americans who indicate President Donald Trump is leaning too heavily toward the Israelis has grown 5 percentage points since March (from 31% to 36%). The percentage of those saying Trump is finding the right balance has fallen 6 points (from 29% to 23%). Hardly anyone (2%) indicates Trump is tilting toward the Palestinians too much, while nearly four-in-ten (38%) aren’t sure.
The chart illustrates that A third of Americans believe the U.S. provides Israel with too much military aid; an equal proportion believes it provides Gazans too little humanitarian aid
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to endorse Trump’s management of the war and to report that he is balancing the Israelis and Palestinians correctly. But the percentages reporting that Trump is leaning too heavily toward the Israelis have increased in both partisan camps.
U.S. military aid to Israel
A third of adults (33%) believe the United States is giving too much military aid to Israel. Very few (8%) believe the U.S. isn’t giving Israel sufficient military aid. Approximately a quarter (23%) believe it is giving roughly the right amount, and 35% are unsure.
U.S. humanitarian aid to Palestinian citizens
In contrast, 35% say the U.S. is not giving too much humanitarian aid to Palestinian citizens in Gaza, and 9% say it is giving too much humanitarian aid. Two-in-ten say the U.S. is giving roughly the right amount, and 35% aren’t sure.
Concerns about the conflict
Eight-in-ten Americans report being at least somewhat worried about starvation among Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli military attacks that kill Palestinian civilians, and the other Israeli hostages being held there not being brought back to Israel.
The chart indicates that Most Americans are worried about starvation in Gaza, the impact of military strikes on Palestinian citizens, and the return of Israeli hostages. From this view, it is understandable how the USA keeps supporting Israel. The major reason is due to the Gaza War.
- At least half of Americans report being extremely or very worried about these matters.
- Large majorities of Americans also say they are at least somewhat worried about Hamas launching an attack on Israel in the future (74%) and the Israeli army pushing Palestinians out of Gaza (69%). A little less than four-in-ten are extremely or very worried about either of these outcomes.
- These are shared across Republicans and Democrats. But there are differences within parties in the degree of some concerns:
- Democrats are more likely than Republicans to report they are extremely or very worried about Israeli military attacks in Gaza killing Palestinian civilians, Gaza starvation, and Palestinians being forced out of Gaza.
- Republicans are more likely than Democrats to report they are extremely or very worried about the potential for Hamas to attack Israel in the future.
There is no partisan divide in worry about the rest of the hostages not being repatriated to Israel.
Attitudes towards the Israelis, Palestinians, and their leaders
Americans still have far more favorable attitudes toward the Palestinian and Israeli people than towards their political leadership.
The chart that was taken during the poll shows 56% are positive about the Israeli people and 52% are positive about the Palestinian people. In contrast, 59% are negative about the Israeli government and 68% are negative about the Palestinian Authority. Americans overwhelmingly are negative about Hamas (84%).
- The chart shows Americans rate the Israeli and Palestinian people more positively than the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, or Hamas
- But Americans’ attitudes toward the Israeli government and the Israeli people are worse than they were in February 2024.
- Currently, 35% are favorable towards the Israeli government, compared with 41% in 2024.
- And while 56% currently have a positive view of the Israeli people, that is a drop from 64% a year and a half ago.
Perceptions of the Palestinian people, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority are no different now than they were 18 months ago.
There remain broad partisan differences on some of these perceptions:
- 70% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning independents have a positive view of the Palestinian people, versus 37% of Republicans and Republican leaders.
- 55% of Republicans have a positive view of the Israeli government, versus only 18% of Democrats.
- Democrats are as likely to have a positive as a negative opinion of the people of Israel (48% each). Compared with 67% of Republicans having a positive opinion.
82% of Republicans and 56% of Democrats have an unfavorable opinion of the Palestinian Authority. At least eight-in-ten in both parties have an unfavorable opinion of Hamas.
Understanding the U.S.–Israel Relationship Matters
To understand global politics today, one must understand why America stands so firmly with Israel. The alliance is not simply about diplomacy — it is about history, values, strategy, and identity. As debates about the Middle East continue, staying informed about the foundations and evolution of this relationship helps citizens engage thoughtfully with foreign policy and its moral implications.
If you aim to explore this topic further, follow our coverage on U.S.–Middle East relations and global geopolitical trends — and stay informed about how enduring alliances shape the world we live in.
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Author: Simona
