The Republican Party is beginning to see deep divisions over support for Israel, even as President Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters continue to support a close US ally.
Politico reported Saturday (local time) that a new poll found that self-identified Make America Great Again (MAGA) Trump voters are far more supportive of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its relationship with Washington than those who do not identify as MAGA but still voted for Trump.
Half of MAGA Trump Voters Support Israel: Poll
According to the poll, nearly half of MAGA-involved Trump voters support Israel and approve of its current administration’s actions, compared to just 29 percent of non-MAGA Trump voters. The poll also found that 41 percent of MAGA voters believe Israel’s military campaign in Gaza is justified, compared to 31 percent of non-MAGA voters. Meanwhile, 24 percent of MAGA voters said Israel was initially justified but has since gone too far, compared to 31 percent of non-MAGA voters.
The poll also suggests that MAGA voters are moderately supportive of Israel and are more likely to continue to support the longtime US ally despite divisions in the Republican Party. The rifts could have major implications for the future of the US-Israel alliance and for Republican efforts to hold together the coalition that helped return Trump to the White House ahead of a tough midterm election cycle.
Democrats blamed the Biden administration for its approach to Gaza
Politics around the Middle East have shifted rapidly in recent years, with the Democratic Party divided over support for Israel. Some Democrats also blame former President Joe Biden’s administration’s handling of the Gaza conflict for contributing to the party’s loss of the White House in 2024.
At least 35 percent of voters who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris believed that Israel was initially justified in its actions in Gaza but has since gone too far. Only 10 percent of Harris voters believe Israel is still justified in waging war in Gaza. Meanwhile, 27 percent said Israel’s military campaign was never justified, while another 28 percent said they were unsure.
The numbers highlight a sharp drop in Democratic support for the military campaign, which previously received strong support from the Biden administration.
Republicans were united in support of Israel
The poll suggests that Republicans were largely united in their support for Israel in the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. However, amid the US conflict with Iran and growing concern over Trump’s foreign policy interventions, Washington’s position between the GOP wing and younger, non-MAGA conservatives now appears less stable.
Does the Israeli government have too much influence on US foreign policy?
The Public First poll found that non-MAGA Trump voters are 10 percentage points more likely than MAGA voters to believe the Israeli government has too much influence over US foreign policy.
Prominent Republicans such as Tucker Carlson, former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon have criticized Washington’s close ties with Israel, especially as tensions with Iran escalate. Meanwhile, most Republican members of Congress, along with conservative commentators such as Laura Loomer and Ben Shapiro, remained staunchly pro-Israel and supported the president’s actions.
Trump devotes more time to international issues
While MAGA Trump voters appear to be more accepting of the US president’s foreign policy agenda, at least 29 percent of Trump voters in 2024 say he has focused too much on international affairs at the expense of domestic affairs. Only 19 percent of MAGA Trump voters said the president spent too much time on global affairs. Among non-MAGA Trump voters, that number rose to 40 percent.
However, it remains to be seen whether Trump’s support for the Israeli government will push other Republicans further.
