Democratic support for Israel has collapsed, according to a new NBC News poll that shows just 13% of Democrats hold a positive view of the Jewish state, down from 34% in 2023. Among Democrats, 57% now view Israel negatively. Overall, just 32% of Americans view Israel favorably, compared to 47% three years ago. Thirty-nine percent hold a negative view.
Among independents, the numbers also flipped. Three years ago, independents viewed Israel positively by a 40%-22% margin. Now they view it negatively by a 48%-21% margin.
Republicans remained the outlier. GOP voters still view Israel positively by 54%-18%, down slightly from 63%-12% in 2023.
The poll was conducted Feb. 27 through March 2 by NBC News, during the period the U.S. and Israel began strikes on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.
On the question of sympathies, Americans who favored Israel over Palestinians 45%-13% in 2013 are now essentially tied: 40% more sympathetic to Israel, 39% to Palestinians. Among Democrats, the reversal is stark. They backed Israel 34%-18% over Palestinians in 2013. Now 67% of Democrats say they are more sympathetic to Palestinians, while just 17% favor Israel.
Republican sympathies barely moved. GOP voters back Israel 69%-13%, compared to 67%-8% in 2013.
The poll shows a generational gap as well, with younger Americans driving much of the decline.
The shift in Democratic opinion comes as the party’s anti-Israel faction has grown louder in 2026 primary races. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) recently blasted what he called the “anti-Israel rot” in the Democratic Party and rejected Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s characterization of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a genocide.
