Recent polling in the United States shows a significant decline in support for Israel, reflecting what former Israeli Consul Yaki Dayan describes as a broader global shift away from the political center toward more extreme positions on both the right and the left. He warns that bipartisan backing for Israel has weakened as more radical voices gain influence, bringing with them rising antisemitism and growing anti-Israel sentiment.

Dayan argues that many Americans, particularly younger generations, do not fully understand Israel’s view of itself as fighting a war for its survival. Instead, Israel is often perceived as a militaristic state unwilling to pursue peace. He points to social media platforms where anti-Israel narratives dominate and pro-Israel perspectives are frequently marginalized, further eroding public support.

He also highlights the impact of foreign funding on university campuses, especially from Qatar, which he says has contributed to increasing antisemitic and anti-Israel attitudes. According to Dayan, support among Americans under fifty, and particularly those in their twenties, has reached one of its lowest points since Israel’s founding 78 years ago.

Dayan believes this shift has political implications for the White House, especially with midterm elections approaching and waning public enthusiasm for conflict with Iran. Still, he maintains that the trend can be reversed through sustained investment in public diplomacy, stronger engagement on social media, and long-term regional changes, emphasizing that defending Israel’s legitimacy must extend beyond the battlefield to the realm of global public opinion.