Israel Must Shift Strategy to Restore US Alliance Amid Historic Support Decline

Less than three years after the devastating October 7 attack, Israel faces a historic low in American support from both major political parties as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington. Once courted by leading Democrats and Republicans eager to demonstrate their commitment to Israel, Netanyahu now confronts a deeply divided US political landscape where Israel’s backing has sharply eroded. Among Democrats, polls show that 57% believe Israel committed "genocide" in Gaza, only 13% justify the war, and 74% oppose any aid to Israel. Similarly, most Republicans under 50 hold negative views of Israel, reflecting a broader generational shift rather than a passing trend.

This decline is not merely a public opinion setback but a failure to engage effectively with American interests. Analysis by "Mind Israel" reveals that Israel’s security assistance returns at least $15 billion in value to the US for $3.3 billion in aid, yet Netanyahu’s recent announcement to end military aid undermines this narrative. The article argues Israel must move beyond seeking sympathy and instead emphasize its strategic value to the US.

Historical examples from France, Japan, and South Korea demonstrate that countries can recover and even enhance their standing in the US through sustained efforts aligning with American priorities. For Israel, the path forward involves three key steps: forging a "technological alliance" focused on AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, critical materials, energy, and cyber to secure US strategic advantages; promoting a regional coalition with Abraham Accords partners and others to shift perceptions from a military burden to a stabilizing force; and establishing a national mechanism to combat delegitimization campaigns through coordinated diplomatic, legal, economic, academic, and cultural efforts, especially targeting younger American audiences.

The article concludes that restoring US-Israel relations is not optional but a strategic imperative requiring government commitment and societal involvement to build enduring people-to-people ties rather than relying solely on leadership rapport. Dr. Avner Golov, former US affairs official at Israel’s National Security Council and current vice president of Mind Israel, authored this analysis.