By: Dr. Dirar Abu Sisi.
(Exclusively for al-Zaytouna Centre).
A new academic paper published by Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations, titled “The Shift in American Sympathy Toward the Palestine Issue: An Analysis of Public Opinion Dynamics and Partisan Polarization (2001–2026)
” and authored by Dr. Dirar Abu Sisi, examines the evolution of US public opinion toward the Palestine issue from 2001 to 2026, focusing on public opinion dynamics, partisan polarization, and demographic factors underlying this shift.
The paper traces changes in US sympathy toward Palestinians and Israelis, noting that, for the first time in Gallup’s annual polling, sympathy for Palestinians surpassed sympathy for Israelis in February 2026, at 41% and 36%, respectively. This marked a historic reversal after decades in which sympathy for Israelis consistently prevailed. Moreover, the shift continued to intensify during the first half of 2026.
The study tests four hypotheses concerning the structural nature of the shift, the generational factor, partisan polarization and the influence of religious affiliation among younger Americans. Its findings suggest that the shift began gradually in 2019, well before the 7/10/2023 events, and accelerated with the war on Gaza. By 2026, a majority of those aged 18–34 expressed greater sympathy for Palestinians (53%), compared with 23% who expressed greater sympathy for Israelis.
The paper also finds a widening partisan divide over the Palestine issue. While 65% of Democrats expressed greater sympathy for Palestinians, only 13% of Republicans did so. Conversely, 17% of Democrats expressed greater sympathy for Israelis, compared with 70% of Republicans.
The study confirms all four hypotheses, concluding that the shift in US sympathy reflects long-term structural developments that began in 2019. Generational change emerges as a key driver, accompanied by an unprecedented deepening of partisan polarization and a declining influence of religious affiliation among younger Americans.
The findings also show that the shift is no longer confined to younger and progressive Americans but has expanded to other segments of society. Notably, adults aged 55 and older recorded the narrowest gap ever measured, while American Jews showed significant divisions over the war and Israeli policies.
The study offers recommendations for researchers, policymakers, activists and organizations, including further research into the role of social media in shaping public opinion, cross-national comparisons, and the development of more accurate predictive models. It also calls for monitoring demographic and partisan trends, reassessing US foreign policy in light of changing public opinion, strengthening engagement with younger generations, and building cross-partisan coalitions around shared values such as human rights and international justice.
| Click here to download: >> Academic Paper: The Shift in American Sympathy Toward the Palestine Issue: An Analysis of Public Opinion Dynamics and Partisan Polarization (2001–2026) … Dr. Dirar Abu Sisi (Arabic) (31 pages, 2.4 MB) |
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