Top Israel Ally in Congress Warns of Declining US Public Support

Brad Sherman, a prominent and long-time supporter of Israel in the U.S. Congress, has issued an unusual warning about a significant decline in American public support for the Jewish state. The Democratic congressman urged Israelis to "wake up" to the dramatic shift occurring in American public opinion, highlighting data presented on CNN that shows an unprecedented erosion of favorability towards Israel.

Sherman shared the CNN segment on X, emphasizing that both Israeli elected officials and citizens need to understand the implications of these findings. He revealed a recent conversation with Israel's Ambassador to the U.S., Yael Lempert, noting that he felt Israel had not yet grasped the magnitude of this change. "I don't think Israelis understand what's at stake," Sherman stated.

He cautioned that the potential consequences extend beyond U.S. military aid, warning that continued erosion of support could impact political backing, access to American weaponry, and Israel's international standing. Sherman also criticized Israel's public diplomacy efforts and the actions of some government officials, suggesting that certain statements and behaviors are causing ongoing damage.

Specifically, Sherman described the presence of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in the government as an "existential risk," concluding that "Israel cannot exist without friends in the world." This warning comes against a backdrop of polling data showing a sharp reversal in American sentiment. While Israel enjoyed a positive favorability balance of over 50 points in 2018, it now stands at a negative 16 points, a dramatic shift in eight years. For the first time, a majority of Americans reportedly hold negative views of Israel, with some polls indicating that 55% believe U.S. military aid to Israel should be reduced or stopped.