In the most recent annual Gallup survey, Democrats have shown a dramatic shift in their perspective on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict; for the first time, they expressed more empathy for Palestinians than Israelis.
In general, the majority of adults in the U.S. feel more empathy towards Israelis (54%) than Palestinians (31%), and two–thirds of Americans still see the Israeli occupation favorably. However, opinions on the Middle East conflict are becoming more divided in the U.S. based on political party and age group.
In 2016, the majority of Democrats (53%) showed more sympathy towards the Israelis, while only 23% indicated more sympathy for the Palestinians.
By the year 2022, the difference between the two sides had almost vanished. During Gallup‘s survey from the 1st to the 23rd of February this year, only 38% of Democrats indicated that they sided with the Israelis, whereas 49% of them had more sympathy for the Palestinians.
The majority of Americans born after 1980 lean more towards being supportive of Palestinians than Israelis. Conversely, those from older generations are more likely to empathize with Israelis. Additionally, the progressive side of the Democratic caucus in Congress has become more outspoken in regards to the issues Palestinians face.
Some Israeli pundits have asserted that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has put Israel in a partisan political situation in the U.S. by forming such a solid relationship with the GOP.
The majority of Democrats (56%) still have a favorable view of the Israeli occupation, which has decreased from 63% in the past year, compared to the 82% among Republicans. This is consistent with Gallup surveys of Democrats over the past two decades.
In recent weeks, rising tensions in the occupied West Bank due to an increase in violence have caused no progress to be made in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in the past few years. Moreover, with a right-wing government in power in Israel, the chances of meaningful peace negotiations occurring in the near future are slim.
The Israeli President Isaac Herzog declared on Wednesday that Israel is dangerously close to a civil war, due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s proposal to change the judiciary system, which has been viewed as a threat to the nation‘s democracy.
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