US Public Opinion Shifts Against Israel, Poll Shows

A recent poll indicates a significant negative shift in American public opinion regarding Israel's status as a US ally. Only 34% of Americans now consider Israel a US ally, while 15% view it as an adversary. This represents a notable decline over the past 18 months, with trust in Canada also decreasing.

The survey, reported by CNN, asked participants to categorize six countries as allies, friendly, unfriendly, or adversaries. In September 2026, 34% of respondents labeled Israel an ally and 27% as friendly, totaling 61% with a positive assessment. However, 24% deemed Israel unfriendly, and 15% an adversary.

Comparing these figures to March 2025, when 42% saw Israel as an ally and only 7% as an adversary, reveals a substantial change. By January 2026, the numbers had shifted to 38% and 11% respectively. Over 18 months, the proportion of Americans viewing Israel as an ally dropped by 8 percentage points, while those considering it an adversary more than doubled.

This trend is particularly pronounced across age demographics. Among Americans aged 18-34, only 24% consider Israel an ally, with 22% viewing it as an adversary. In contrast, among those over 65, 59% see Israel as an ally, and only 5% as an adversary.

Further highlighting generational divides, a May Pew survey found that only 18% of Americans under 30 viewed the Israeli government positively, compared to 32% who viewed Israelis themselves positively. Earlier reports indicated that a majority of likely participants in the 2028 Democratic primaries in six early states favor sanctions against Israel and a halt to US arms shipments, according to YouGov polls.