A new Gallop poll published on March 23, suggests for the first time that American Democrats sympathise more with Palestinians than Israelis. This poll, which Gallop conducted between Feb 1-Feb 23, is concerning , as it is very possible that Democrats will continue to hold the White House in the future. The poll was taken before the protests against the Israeli government for its judicial reform proposals had peaked.

The poll, which was of 1,008 US adults in all 50 states, found that for the first time in over two decades of Gallop Polls, Democrats now hold an 11-point net negative view of Israel,  in that they are exhibiting more sympathy to Palestinians than Israelis by a 49 to 38 margin.

In general, Americans do favour the Israeli cause to the Palestinian cause,  in that 54 per cent reporting greater sympathy for Israel. This figure is similar to last year’s 55 per cent figure, and yet, it is as its lowest since January 2005.

Among Republicans, sympathy for Israel remains overwhelming, at 78%.

On the other hand, American sympathy towards Palestinians is at a new all-time high of 31 per cent. The proportion of people polled who do not favouring any side specifically is at a new low of 15 per cent.

“Americans’ views on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have become more polarized as Democrats increasingly commiserate with the Palestinians, while Republicans maintain their solid alignment with the Israelis,” stated Gallup.

Democrats continue to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, along with security assistance for Israel and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. 

Americans as a whole continue to view Israel as a country more favourably than they do the Palestinian Authority, at 68 per cent versus 26 per cent.