For decades, the United States has been Israel’s most stalwart ally. This relationship started all the way back in 1948 when the US became the first country in the world to recognize Israel as a newly established state. Recent anti-occupation events have catalyzed a surprising and seismic shift in American public opinion towards Israel. This unexpected turn of events prompts significant questions about the future of their over 30-year coalition. America’s political fissures are more than dynamic; they are volatile and contradictory. Younger generations are continuing to change their views, further changing the landscape of support for Israel.
It is no coincidence that President Harry S. Truman was so instrumental in shaping the US-Israel relationship. In fact, he officially recognized the fledgling state of Israel just two days after its declaration by David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. Truman’s empathy for Jewish survivors of the Holocaust played a large role in his decision. The condition of the people stuck in refugee camps all throughout Europe affected him immensely. It was this sense of urgency that drove him to cut red tape and act expeditiously on behalf of Israel.
The 1967 war had been a foundation moment in the making of the deep US-Israel ties today. It reinforced America’s intense military and political commitment to Israel. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently noted the new and dangerous turn the conflict has taken. He made this point to highlight that the US has accepted Israel as a regional military and political power. Since then, the relationship has developed into a more benign partnership but is now coming under ever growing scrutiny.
Popular culture has certainly been an important space for curating American perceptions of Israel. The 1958 novel and subsequent blockbuster film “Exodus” by Leon Uris introduced the American public to the Zionist narrative and garnered sympathy for Israel. These narratives have fueled a decades-long emotional and political bond between the two countries.
Today’s political dynamics have added a toxic mix that has further complicated this dynamic and relationship. Dennis Ross, a veteran diplomat, highlighted that American opinions on Israel have become increasingly intertwined with sharp political divisions within the US. As Democrats and Republicans fight over conflicting visions for foreign policy, support for Israel has become a Republican litmus test.
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s former national security adviser, consciously punted when asked to defend the administration’s continued support for Israel. He wonders whether they might have done otherwise in the wake of October 7. He recognized the reality that the United States is unapologetically pro-Israel at this moment in history. He recognized that concerns for humanitarian assistance and avoiding civilian casualties must be addressed.
President Biden’s unconditional support for Israel has proven to be extremely politically costly, especially among progressive elements in his own party. Key progressive leaders such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have publicly condemned Biden’s approach to Israel and called for defending the rights of Palestinians. This split inside the Democratic Party mirrors a larger, generational trend in attitudes toward Israel.
“Younger Americans, including Jewish Americans, are less supportive of Israel than their parents were.” – Francine Klagsbrun
Yet as these younger generations are projected to gain political power, their views increasingly contrast with the perspectives of their predecessors. TANTF founder Francine Klagsbrun observed that younger members of Congress are a lot less willing to give Israel the automatic, knee-jerk support. This trend is a promising sign that American public opinion toward Israel may be shifting in the long term. The answer will be how effectively leaders can address these changing feelings.
In light of recent developments in Israel, including Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reforms that sparked unprecedented protests among Jewish Israelis in early 2023, concerns regarding leadership and governance have surfaced. Olmert urged Israeli voters to dump Netanyahu in favor of a new, more centrist government. He argues that this new approach would help address much of the US’s frustration at its support for Israel.
The Trump administration did overreach in a number of areas in US-Israel relations. State-backed grave violations Their hardline approach violated international norms and raised alarm over their compliance with international law. Trump’s proposal for Israel actualized the most significant shift to date in the relationship, but it’s since polarized public opinion even more.
“Trump is viewed very negatively by most Democrats – the latest polls show over 90 percent.” – Dennis Ross
The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) of Tel Aviv University recently published a thoughtful short paper. It claims that US public opinion on Israel has finally crossed into what they dub the “danger zone.” This joint review emphasizes the critical importance of responding to worries that could threaten the uniquely solid partnership between the two countries.
As President Biden navigates these challenges, he faces questions about his administration’s approach to both foreign and domestic policy concerning Israel and Palestine. There is general agreement among observers that figuring out where American public opinion is headed will be key to defining future U.S.-Cuba relations.
“I think it’s almost less of a foreign policy question than it is a domestic policy question in these two countries – whither America and whither Israel?” – [no specific author]
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