Anti-Semitism among Americans has risen

In recent years, negative attitudes toward Israel have risen significantly among Americans, especially among Democrats and independents, Fox News reported. This change is due to the increase in negative views among voters. This information was revealed in a new national survey in the United States.

The survey, conducted by NBC News, comes at a time when support for Israel among Democrats has become a contentious issue after the Netanyahu government's two-year invasion of Gaza.

According to the survey, conducted between February 27 and March 2, only 32 percent of Americans currently have a positive view of Israel, while 39 percent expressed a negative view. This is a big change from three years ago; then 47 percent of people viewed Israel positively and 34 percent had a negative view.

The survey shows that the change in the views of Democrats and independents has played a major role in the decline in positive attitudes.

In 2023, Democrats’ views of Israel were roughly even—34 percent positive and 35 percent negative. But a recent poll found that only 13 percent of Democrats now view Israel positively, while 57 percent have a negative view.

The same trend is seen among independent voters. Previously, 40 percent were positive and 22 percent negative, but now it stands at 21 percent positive and 48 percent negative.

On the other hand, Republicans’ attitudes have changed relatively little. Among them, positive views have fallen from 63 percent to 54 percent, and negative views have risen from 12 percent to 18 percent.

The poll was conducted at a time when the United States and Israel have begun military strikes. It also found that Americans are now roughly evenly divided on the question of sympathy for Israelis and Palestinians.

In 2013, 45 percent of Americans were sympathetic to Israel, while only 13 percent were supportive of the Palestinians. Today, the gap is almost nonexistent—40 percent favor Israel, 39 percent favor the Palestinians.

The shift is most pronounced among Democrats. In 2013, they favored Israel by a margin of 34 percent to 18 percent. Now, 67 percent favor the Palestinians, and just 17 percent favor Israel.

The same shift has been seen among independent voters. Previously, they favored Israel by a margin of 37 percent to 10 percent, but now they favor the Palestinians by 37 percent and Israel by 27 percent.

Republicans, however, still maintain strong support for Israel. In 2013, they favored Israel by a margin of 67 percent to 8 percent, which is still about the same—69 percent to 13 percent.

The survey also highlights generational differences. Positive attitudes and sympathy for Israel have declined at a much faster rate among younger Americans.

The ongoing war in Gaza has further divided Democrats and is a key issue in the 2026 primary elections.

The Palestinian Health Authority says more than 72,000 people have died in Israel's military campaign in Gaza over the past two and a half years.

Source: Geo News