Pollster and principal, Alex Tarascio co-authored this op-ed in The Daily Wire. Read the full article at DailyWire.com.
As Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza approaches its third year following the October 7, 2023, massacre, the conflict has shaken the foundations of public opinion, shifting views not only toward Israel but toward Palestinians as well, according to a recent Cygnal survey.
For decades, Israel enjoyed strong bipartisan support in the United States, but that consensus has eroded, and younger Americans are at the forefront of that shift. Among American voters, Israel’s image is slightly underwater overall, with 41 percent viewing it favorably and nearly 44 percent unfavorably. But among voters aged 18 to 44, Israel’s standing is significantly worse — it is deeply underwater with a net favorability of -31. For voters over 55, it’s the opposite – Israel has a net favorability of +14.
This trend should come as no surprise amid two years of anti-Israel protests, often echoing Hamas messaging, on college campuses and throughout liberal cities. However, declining support for Israel has not translated to a pro-Palestinian shift.
Public opinion on Palestinians is even more negative, with 45 percent of Americans having an unfavorable view compared to just a 31 percent favorable one. But it is here that the generational and partisan divides cut in the opposite direction — 60 percent of voters over the age 55, and 64 percent of Republicans, hold the most unfavorable view of Palestinians.