As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his visit to Washington, DC, to reaffirm Israel’s alliance with the United States on July 31, 2026, a new public opinion poll revealed significant changes in American attitudes toward him and Israel.

An Economist/YouGov poll released on July 28 found that 49 percent of Americans believe Netanyahu should be arrested under the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Additionally, 47 percent of respondents said they believe Netanyahu has committed war crimes in Gaza. Such views would have been politically inconceivable just a decade ago.

This shift reflects Netanyahu’s transformation of Israel from a bipartisan cause into one of the most polarizing foreign policy issues in the US. Analysts trace this change back to 2015, when Netanyahu accepted a Republican invitation to address a joint session of Congress in defiance of then-President Barack Obama during the Iran nuclear debate.

Despite intense pressure from his Democratic Party, President Joe Biden has maintained extraordinary military, diplomatic, and political support for Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Biden visited Israel during wartime, accelerated military assistance, defended Israel at the United Nations, and faced domestic criticism for his stance.

Netanyahu’s diplomatic achievements have historically relied on bipartisan confidence that Israel is both a strategic ally and a democratic partner. However, the recent poll underscores how that consensus has fractured, marking a profound change in the US-Israel relationship.

Sources