Relations between the United States and Israel, which for decades acted as an unshakable pillar of American foreign policy, are now facing a deep transformation. Even with US President Donald Trump, the interest in resolution of the conflict is visibly weakened.
At the same time, the criticism of Israeli’s approach is growing by the Western public – the American and the European public. In many European countries, the theme of Gaza has already become part of the internal political struggle.
Meanwhile, the European Union has called for restraint and warned against further escalation and violations of international law.
American support for Israel decreases, frustration is growing
From April this year, it revealed that 53 % of Americans have an unfavorable view of Israel – a significant increase over 42 percent in 2022. Only 43 % of Americans reported that they were supporting Israel in conflict with the Palestinians. Among the democratic voters, this difference was even more pronounced – 59 % were on the Palestinians, while Israel supported only 21 %. Finally, according to a CBS/Yougov survey of June 2023, to 61 % of Americans said the US should stop sending weapons to Israel.
“Current hard repression is a direct response to unfavorable public opinion polls related to Israel. The more people are deported, lose their jobs, scholarships or disturbing public events, and the more universities suppresses students’ protests, often in an effort to enjoy Donald Trump or Elisa Stefanik (Elovenka USA in the US). Israel support and moves it to a greater understanding for the Palestinians, ”
It played an important role in the decline in the support of Israel in the US, the reaction of young Americans after the start of the Gaza conflict. The younger generation sensitively perceived images of civilian victims that spread on social networks, which significantly influenced her attitude. The PEW Research Center data shows that up to 33 % of respondents under 30 years of age expressed more support to the Palestinians, while Israel supported only 14 %. On the other hand, older Americans in most maintain a pro -Israeli attitude.
The attitude of US President Donald Trump
On the other side of the political spectrum, US President Donald Trump in February 2025, shortly after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House, publicly said that the United States also stated that this territory would be “cleaned” from the Palestinian population.
The statement triggered a shock on the international scene and was in direct contradiction with the basic principles of international law. At the same time, Trump confirmed the unconditional support of Israel, which is pursued by the Republican Party also through a proposal to deport hundreds of foreign students suspected of anti -Semitism or support for Hamas.
“During January 2025, Trump’s interventions, especially through emissar Steve Witkoff, played a key role in the short -term ceasefire. His impact on Netanyahu was greater than the influence of any other president, including Joe Biden,”
Trump’s interest in the conflict soon fell away, which, according to the commentators, had Netanyahua for further escalation. Although Trump had previously supported the idea of transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, he later moved his attention to other topics. According to military analyst Amos Harel of Harel, “the tragedy of this conflict is the fact that the only one who could still force Netanyahu to the Hostage Agreement is no longer interested in it”.
Meanwhile, Israel blocked the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which even more deepened the humanitarian crisis. The efforts of the United States to create an alternative aid distribution mechanism that would bypass Hamas was strongly criticized by the UN and all humanitarian organizations operating in the region. The joint statement has identified this plan as part of the Israeli military strategy, which violates the basic humanitarian principles.
At the same time, the US administration signaled a reduction in its diplomatic engagement. Budgetary and personnel cuts at the Foreign Ministry also affected the position of the security coordinator for the West Bank and Gaza – a high -ranking general responsible for managing tensions between Israeli settlers and the Palestinian population.
Sympathy by Europe to Israel weaken, especially among young people
Israel’s support in Europe significantly weakens. He showed that most Europeans perceive the Israeli-Palestinian conflict critically.
Although many recognize Israel’s right to respond to terrorist attacks, only a minority of the public considers the subsequent Israeli military operation justified. In individual countries, only 16 to 34 % of respondents consider the Israeli reaction appropriate. Many are convinced that Israel has crossed the limit of the adequate use of force and has caused too many civilian victims.
At the same time, most Europeans are opposed to the further strengthening of Israel. When asked whether the US and European states should provide Israel’s military assistance in the event of a war with Iran, 42 to 59 % of respondents answered negatively, while support for such assistance was only between 14 and 28 percent.
The image of Israel is predominantly negative in the European public. In each of the seven countries involved in the survey, an unfavorable view of Israel (44-57 %) prevailed, and only a minority evaluated it positively. The term “Palestine” is also adversely perceived – 43 to 61 % of respondents expressed a negative attitude. The exception is Italy, where opinions were divided quite evenly and a third of the respondents could not take a position.
The survey also showed that most Europeans also disagree with other military steps in the region – including Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Iran or Iranian attacks on Israel. Only a small part of the public (5-11 %) considered Hamas attacks on Israel from October 2023 justifiable.
Especially interesting is the development in Britain, showed a deep generation gap. While older voters (so -called boomers) tend to defend London’s official policy towards Gaza and refuse protests for a ceasefire (46 %), the younger British perceive it the other way around. Up to 59 % of the Z generation supports protests and 43 % criticizes British policy. At the same time, the Millennium and Gen Z is strong support for the recognition of Palestine and the stopping of the sale of Israel’s weapons – up to 73 % of young British people were banned from the sale of weapons, while between boomers it is 47 %.
From a political point of view, the conflict became a topic that also interfered with election behavior. Up to 58 % of the generation of and 43 % of the millennium argued that the Gaza war would affect their decision -making in the British parliamentary elections on July 4, 2024. On the contrary, only 18 % of the boomers expressed this. Nevertheless, most across all age groups – up to 62 % – support a public call for a complete ceasefire.
The findings of the survey indicate the overall skepticism of the European public towards continuing escalation of violence in the region and the growing call after relieving tension instead of further deepening.
The EU increases pressure, warns against escalation
The growing criticism of Israeli military operations is not only heard from the public, but also from diplomatic circles. Serious concerns about the planned widespread offensive in the Gaza Strip. The European Commission identified the upcoming operation as a threat to the civilian population and called on the Israeli government for maximum restraint.
At the same time, it refused to deliver Tel Aviv to deliver humanitarian aid through private companies – a model that the UN described as a violation of the basic principles of humanitarian law. While Brussels has not yet approached any concrete steps, he signaled that he would repeat his challenge “as often as necessary”.
The procedure of the Israeli government, which openly talks about the occupation of Gaza, is increasingly tensed in European institutions. Thus, the EU finds itself in the role in which it balances among the historical alliance with Israel and the defense of international law and humanitarian standards. In the context of public opinion changes, especially among younger voters, pressure on political leaders is likely to increase.
