At first blush, the answer to the question in the title is clear from the fact that U.S.-Israel relations are closer than ever, evident from the joint fight against Iran and the reversal of nearly a century of misguided Middle East policy directed by Arabists. Alas, like vampires, the Arabists are seemingly impossible to kill and have found homes in the media and academia, awaiting the return of Democrats to power and their reincarnation again as decision-makers. Their hope for a return has been fueled by the unpopularity of Israel, its prime minister, and its conduct. Meanwhile, the feeling among some on the right that President Donald Trump betrayed his America First campaign has strengthened the isolationists and conspiracy theorists who hold Israel responsible for Trump’s aggressive policies and share the desire to dismantle the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems oblivious or unconcerned with the trends. He placed an enormous strategic bet: his personal relationship with Trump and the loyalty of the Republican Party would sustain Israel’s relationship with the US. He has been rewarded, but at the expense of Israeli sovereignty, which was no more evident than when Trump surprised Netanyahu with a post saying Israel was “PROHIBITED” from bombing Lebanon, a day after Netanyahu had told the public the IDF was advancing in its operation to occupy southern Lebanon and destroy Hezbollah.

Not only has Israel in many ways lost the war with its enemies, but it has also lost the hearts and minds of many of its friends. The poll numbers don’t lie, and while there is hope that they are transitory, the trend is clearly against Israel.

In just eight years, Gallup found that sympathy for Israel among Americans has fallen from a record high of 64% to a near record low of 36%, while sympathy for Palestinians has more than doubled, reaching a record 41%.

On average, over time, most Democrats have not supported Israel. Nevertheless, the shift in those years is nothing short of seismic. In 2018, 49% sympathized with Israel. Today, that number is 17%. Meanwhile, 65% of Democrats now align with the Palestinians, up from just 16% in 2001.

There is also erosion on the Republican side, as sympathy has slipped from 87% in 2018 to 70% today, leaving a partisan gap of 53 points and reflecting the total breakdown of the once bipartisan consensus.

Pew’s April 2026 survey is, if anything, grimmer. Sixty percent of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Israel. The only groups still in Israel’s corner are Republicans........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)