Israel Faces Historic Low US Support, Urgently Needs New Strategic Alliance Approach

Less than three years after the devastating October 7 attack, Israel arrives in Washington amid historically low American support that spans both major political parties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to the US highlights a critical moment as Israel’s traditional bipartisan backing has eroded dramatically. Polls reveal that 57% of Democrats believe Israel committed genocide in Gaza, only 13% view the war as justified, and 74% oppose aid to Israel. Among Republicans under 50, negative views of Israel are also rising, fueled by voices portraying Israel as a liability dragging the US into unnecessary conflicts.

This decline is not a temporary setback but a deep, cross-party crisis. Israel’s failure to effectively communicate its strategic value to the US has contributed to this shift. Despite Israel’s security aid to the US being worth an estimated $15 billion annually, far exceeding the $3.3 billion it receives, Netanyahu’s announcement to end military aid has further complicated the narrative. The current Israeli approach vacillates between unrealistic independence from US support and ineffective efforts to appeal to American pro-Israel sentiment.

However, recovery is possible, as shown by countries like France, Japan, and South Korea, which overcame severe dips in US public support through sustained strategic engagement and rebranding. To regain its standing, Israel must move beyond historical ties and emotional appeals and instead build a deep partnership aligned with American priorities.

Dr. Avner Golov, former US affairs official at Israel’s National Security Council, outlines three key steps: first, forging a "technological alliance" focusing on AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, critical materials, energy, and cyber to make Israel indispensable to US strategic interests; second, promoting a regional coalition including Abraham Accords partners and countries like India, Greece, and Cyprus to enhance Israel’s image as a stabilizing force rather than a military burden; and third, establishing a comprehensive national mechanism to counteract well-funded delegitimization campaigns, especially targeting younger American audiences through coordinated political, legal, economic, academic, and cultural efforts.

Golov stresses that restoring US-Israel relations is not a luxury but a strategic imperative requiring hard work from both the Israeli government and society to foster enduring people-to-people ties, not just leader-to-leader friendships.