Shifts among Democrats and independents are key contributors.
Americans have grown more sympathetic toward Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians.
WHY IT MATTERS – The upswing in American support for Israel exemplifies the collective determination to stand together in the face of common threats.
THE NUMBERS – In a Yahoo News/YouGov poll from Oct. 12-16, Americans were asked whether their sympathies lie more with Israelis or Palestinians. The response revealed a significant shift in public sentiment from May 2021.
Among all Americans:
- 43 percent – Israel (+13 percent)
- 9 percent – Palestine (-6 percent)
- 27 percent – About equal (-1 percent)
The shift in support for Israel is primarily driven by Democrats and independents.
Among Democrats:
- 13 percent – 2021
- 35 percent – 2023
Among independents:
- 28 percent – 2021
- 40 percent – 2023
Belief that America should offer more support to Israelis than to Palestinians is also on the rise:
- From 10 percent to 28 percent – Democrats
- From 24 percent to 47 percent – independents
- From 58 percent to 60 percent – Republicans
However, when it comes to advocating for Israel to take further action against Hamas to protect Israeli citizens, Democrats hold a narrower margin with only 37 percent favoring such an action. By contrast, 66 percent of Republicans support further action by Israel.
THE BOTTOM LINE – The Hamas attack served as a stark reminder of America’s unwavering resolve to unify in its support for key allies, such as Israel.
GO DEEPER – Poll: Americans’ sympathies shift sharply toward Israel in early days of Hamas war