New Gallup poll shows sharp partisan divide and dwindling backing for military campaign entering its 21st month
Support for Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza has dropped to a record low among Americans, with just 32% approving of the military campaign—down 10 percentage points since last fall. It’s the sharpest decline Gallup has recorded since it began tracking the issue in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack nearly two years ago.
A growing majority—60%—now say they disapprove of Israel’s actions, marking a significant shift in public mood as images of destroyed buildings, starving civilians, and children buried under rubble flood news feeds.
Numbers Tell the Story, but Not the Whole of It
The latest Gallup survey, conducted from July 7 to July 21, lands at a politically fragile moment. Israel’s war has stretched into its 21st month. Ceasefire talks are stalled. U.S. officials are privately fuming. And Americans—once solidly behind Israel—are showing fatigue, frustration, and in some cases, fury.
It’s not just the headline figure that’s turning heads.
Democrats’ approval of Israel’s military action has collapsed to 8%. Independents aren’t far behind, with only 25% in support. Republicans remain the outlier—71% still back the campaign, up slightly from 66% last year.
The partisan gap is now so wide, it’s hard to find another foreign policy issue with a similar divide.
What Changed So Fast?
Back in November 2023, just weeks after Hamas’s brutal attack that left over 1,200 Israelis dead and hundreds taken hostage, American support for Israel was strong. Images of carnage in Israeli kibbutzim triggered global outrage. Political leaders across the spectrum rallied behind Tel Aviv.
But over time, the mood began to shift—especially as Gaza’s death toll soared, now estimated at over 38,000, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. U.S. airmen refused to load bombs. Student protests erupted across campuses. Jewish-American voices grew louder in criticism. And videos of aid airdrops—followed by stampedes and starvation—only deepened doubts.
“This isn’t self-defense anymore,” said Maria Sanchez, a 52-year-old public school teacher in Denver. “It’s punishment.”
She was among the 1,016 Americans surveyed by Gallup. Her views are echoed in cities and suburbs across the country.
Party Lines and Battle Lines
Gallup’s breakdown shows a country deeply split—by party, generation, and media diet.
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Democrats: Only 8% now support Israel’s campaign in Gaza. That’s down 16 points since September 2024. Many cite humanitarian concerns and the Biden administration’s inability to rein in Netanyahu’s government.
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Independents: At 25%, approval is also at an all-time low. Younger independents, in particular, are overwhelmingly opposed.
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Republicans: Still largely behind Israel, with support rising to 71%. Conservative media and evangelical voices have reinforced the narrative of Israel’s right to defend itself—even if critics call the war disproportionate.
“It’s Biblical. It’s necessary,” said Dan Whitmore, 67, a retired marine and Fox News viewer from rural Tennessee. “You don’t negotiate with terrorists.”
Gallup’s Numbers Over Time
Since the conflict reignited in October 2023, Gallup has conducted multiple polls tracking American sentiment. Here’s how approval/disapproval has shifted:
| Poll Date | Approval | Disapproval |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2023 | 50% | 45% |
| Mar 2024 | 41% | 55% |
| Sep 2024 | 42% | 48% |
| Jul 2025 | 32% | 60% |
The trend is unmistakable: each poll has shown approval sliding and disapproval growing—especially after key moments like the Jabalia refugee camp bombing or the collapse of Rafah talks.
The Biden Conundrum
President Biden now faces a complex political bind. He’s long touted his “ironclad” support for Israel, but as the 2024 election showed, young and progressive voters are increasingly disillusioned.
At a recent fundraiser in Seattle, pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted Biden five times. “Stop arming genocide,” one woman shouted before being escorted out.
White House aides have tried threading a delicate line—publicly affirming Israel’s right to defend itself, while quietly pressuring Netanyahu to scale back operations. But that nuance is lost on most voters.
“He says both sides, but he’s still shipping the bombs,” said Jamal Al-Khatib, a 34-year-old nurse in Michigan. “We notice.”
Political Costs Could Mount Fast
If the polling trend continues, Democrats may find themselves hemorrhaging support among Arab-American, Muslim, and progressive voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.
That’s not just a hypothetical. In Dearborn, Michigan—home to one of the largest Arab-American communities in the country—turnout for Democratic primaries dropped 22% this year. Organizers say Gaza was the top reason.
And while Republicans may feel more insulated, they’re not immune. Isolationist factions within the GOP, led by figures like Senator J.D. Vance and Representative Matt Gaetz, are increasingly questioning foreign aid spending—including Israel’s.
Voices from the Ground
“It’s not about sides anymore,” said Avi Goldstein, an Israeli-American bar owner in Brooklyn. “People just want it to end. They’re sick of the blood. Sick of the excuses.”
Back in Gaza, those watching the American mood swing know better than to hope for a miracle. But even small changes in sentiment matter.
“We watch the news,” said Amani, a mother of three sheltering in Rafah. “When America gets tired, maybe it will stop.”
