For the first time since his first stint as Israel’s prime minister in the late 1990s, more than half (52%) of U.S. survey respondents have an unfavorable opinion of Benjamin Netanyahu. The Gallup poll saw a seven percent increase in his unfavorability from 45% in 2024.
Netanyahu’s favorability in the U.S. is significantly divided along party lines, with 67% of Republicans and only 9% of Democrats having a favorable opinion of his leadership. Among Independents, 19% have a favorable opinion of the Israeli prime minister.
With Israel’s inability to secure the release of all hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and as images of starving children in Gaza make headlines, those in the U.S. are souring on the current war in the Middle East. Only about a third (32%) of respondents approve of Israel’s action in Gaza, down 10% from when the last survey was taken in September 2024. In November 2023, a month after the military actions in response to October 7 began, half (50%) of Americans approved of Israel’s military actions.
As is the case for Netanyahu’s favorability, these results are skewed along party lines. Among Republicans, 71% are currently supportive of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Only 8% of Democrats favor Israel’s actions there.
In addition to party disparities, there are gender and generational gaps in U.S. opinions regarding Israel’s actions. Among men, 41% are supportive of Israel’s military campaign, with only about a quarter (24%) of women expressing support. Less than one in ten (9%) of 18-to 34-year-olds are supportive, while almost half (49%) of those over 55 agree with the actions Israel has taken in Gaza.
More information on Gallup’s study, including methodology and topline results, can be found here.
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