As ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas enter a crucial phase, new polling data reveal a historic reversal in how Americans view the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
According to analysis by CNN data expert Harry Enten, more Americans now express sympathy for Palestinians than for Israelis — the first time this has happened in more than 40 years of polling.
“Back in October 2023, public opinion favored Israel by a wide 48-point margin,” Enten said. “Today, that balance has flipped — Palestinians are ahead by a single point. We’ve never seen anything like this.”
The finding marks a watershed moment in U.S. public sentiment on the Middle East conflict, which has traditionally tilted strongly toward Israel. Enten described the shift as “historic in its scale,” pointing to significant changes within key political and generational groups.
Democrats Lead the Shift
The biggest change has occurred among Democratic voters. In 2023, Democrats sided with Israel by a margin of 26 points. That figure has now swung dramatically, with Democrats favoring Palestinians by 46 points — a remarkable 72-point reversal in just two years.
“It’s not just a shift — it’s a full-scale reversal,” Enten noted. He said the ongoing war in Gaza and its civilian toll have deeply influenced younger and more progressive voters, reshaping the party’s stance on the conflict.
Generational Divide Among Republicans
Republicans continue to show strong support for Israel overall, but the data reveal a sharp generational divide. Among Republicans aged 50 and older, Israel enjoys a 66-point advantage in sympathy. However, that margin falls to just 25 points among Republicans under 50.
“That’s a striking 40-point difference,” Enten said. “Younger Republicans are noticeably more open to the Palestinian perspective compared to older members of the party.”
Strong Support for a Ceasefire
Alongside this shift in sentiment, the majority of Americans now favor an end to hostilities. Recent polling shows that more than 80% of respondents support a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Of those surveyed, 51% said achieving a ceasefire is “very or extremely important,” while another 31% consider it “somewhat important.”
“With negotiations underway and the possibility of hostages being released, the American public is clearly hoping for a resolution,” Enten said. “People want this war to come to an end.”
The poll results underscore a profound transformation in American attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — one shaped by generational change, shifting political values, and growing frustration with the humanitarian costs of the ongoing war.
