Over the last several years, Israel has drawn the ire of numerous humanitarian organizations, international bodies, and multinational coalitions. 

Public opinion in much of the world has grown increasingly critical of Israel’s policies in the Middle East—ranging from its involvement in regime change operations to its treatment of Palestinians, its support for settlement expansion, and repeated violations of neighboring states’ sovereignty.

The ongoing war on Gaza is not the sole catalyst for this shift; rather, it represents a continuation of a long-standing transformation in public perception. 

As such, a key question must be asked: how has public opinion in the United States evolved over the past several decades in light of Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond?

False Hopes

In 1993, the leading Palestinian political organization, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), signed the Oslo Accords with Israel under U.S. pressure and Norwegian mediation. 

The Palestinian public was divided on the agreement—many factions denounced it as a betrayal of their national cause. Following the accords, polling found that around 45 percent of Americans sympathized more with Israel, compared to 21 percent who expressed greater sympathy for Palestinians.

Intifada: Oppression No More

Nearly seven years later, amid growing tensions and Israeli provocations, Palestinians launched the Second Intifada—a major uprising led by various Palestinian factions under the Palestinian Authority. 

The uprising lasted for nearly five years. In its early stages, American public opinion, according to Gallup polling, briefly surged in favor of Israel, with support eventually stabilizing around 55 percent for Israel and 15–18 percent for the Palestinians.

All Roads Lead to Gaza

In the two decades following the Second Intifada, four major conflicts erupted between Israel and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip. 

During the wars in 2008, 2012, and 2014, American public opinion remained relatively stable. In 2008 and 2012, 49 percent and 57 percent of Americans, respectively, sympathized with Israel or viewed its actions as justified.

However, a notable shift occurred after the 2014 Gaza war. Support for Palestinians rose to 33 percent—the highest recorded at that time—while sympathy for Israel dropped to 46 percent, falling below the majority threshold. 

After the 2021 crisis in Gaza, polling suggested little change in public opinion, with numbers remaining fairly consistent.

Global Shock: Allegations of Genocide

Following the events of October 7, 2023, Israel launched its most intense military campaign against Gaza, with fighting spilling over into the occupied West Bank and escalating tensions across the region—including confrontations involving Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

This period has marked the most dramatic shift in global and American public opinion.

A Pew Research Center poll from March 2025 revealed that over half of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Israel—a jump of more than ten percentage points compared to polling after the 2021 Gaza conflict.

The Next Generation: TMJ Speaks to Gen Z

As the war on Gaza continues to dominate headlines, many young people are reassessing their views—some quite radically. TMJ News spoke with three college-aged individuals about how they first learned of the Israeli-Palestinian issue and how recent events have shaped their perspectives.

Safiyya, 19, first became aware of the issue around three to four years ago—about two years before October 7.

“I knew about the displacement and the settler policies, but not the genocide or the scale of ethnic cleansing,” she explained. “I used to see both sides, but after witnessing what’s happening in Gaza, I strongly sympathize with the Palestinians. I had always leaned that way, but this solidified it,” she said.

Amir, 19, was introduced to the Israel-Palestine issue through family discussions. “Israel, in my view, has committed atrocities against the Palestinian people, and they deserve our support,” he said. Amir became more informed just before October 7 and has since joined boycotts of companies linked to Israel.

“The first protest I ever attended was a pro-Palestinian one. I even saw Jewish Rabbis and others in the Jewish community standing in solidarity with us,” he added.

Jaden Jackson, 21, learned about the Israel-Palestine issue in late 2022 or early 2023, around a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While he maintains a mostly neutral stance, he supports a ceasefire.

“I think people on both sides are trying to end the violence, but others are blocking that progress. Still, I believe a lasting ceasefire is possible,” he said.

Strong Implications: Collapse of the Facade

Once perceived as a democratic ally in a turbulent region, Israel’s image is rapidly deteriorating in the eyes of many—especially among younger generations in the United States. 

As the Gaza war continues and the civilian toll mounts, global narratives are shifting—from passive support to active criticism. Once confined to activist and academic circles, skepticism toward Israel’s policies is now mainstream, manifesting in protests, boycotts, and significant changes in public opinion.

If this trend continues, the longstanding, unquestioned support Israel has enjoyed in U.S. policy and media may soon face its most serious reckoning.