Longtime Israel Ally in Congress Warns of Shifting US Public Opinion

U.S. Representative Brad Sherman, a prominent and long-standing supporter of Israel in Congress, has issued a stark warning to Israelis about a significant shift in American public opinion regarding the Jewish state. Sherman, a Democrat representing California's 32nd district and a nearly three-decade veteran of the House, urged Israelis to recognize the changing sentiment, directing them to a CNN segment that highlighted polling data showing a sharp decline in favorability towards Israel.

Sherman emphasized the urgency by calling for the CNN clip to be translated into Hebrew, stating that every Israeli official and voter should watch it. He revealed that he had spoken with Israel's Ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and felt that neither the ambassador nor the majority of Israelis grasped the gravity of the situation. "I don't think Israelis realize what is at stake," Sherman warned, suggesting the risks extend beyond annual U.S. aid to include access to American weaponry and decades of diplomatic support.

The congressman also criticized Israel's public diplomacy and foreign relations efforts, arguing that the country is not taking basic steps to improve its global standing and is underinvesting in its Foreign Ministry. He specifically cited the presence of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in the government as an "existential risk," underscoring that "Israel cannot exist without friends in the world."

Sherman further addressed settler violence in the West Bank, asserting that the Israeli claim that international criticism is unjustified reflects a misunderstanding of Jewish history. He cautioned that such events will continue to erode support for Israel unless government bodies responsible for addressing them are led by individuals actively opposing and working against the phenomenon.

The CNN segment featured data from multiple polls, Ipsos, Fox News, Marquette University Law School, and Pew, all indicating a net negative favorability rating for Israel, ranging from -10 to -23 points. This contrasts sharply with July 2018, during Donald Trump's first term, when the average net favorability was +51 points, representing a 67-point swing in eight years. The data indicates this trend is no longer confined to the Democratic base but is prevalent across the broader American public, with a significant portion, 55%, believing the U.S. should reduce or halt military aid to Israel.