Republican Divide on Israel: Polls Show Growing Split

Recent polling data indicates a notable shift in Republican attitudes towards U.S. support for Israel. According to a poll from the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project conducted by YouGov, 44 percent of Republican voters would consider supporting a candidate who seeks to reduce U.S. military aid to Israel.

This sentiment is echoed by other polls, including one from Quinnipiac University showing that over a third of Republicans oppose increasing military aid to Israel and a Pew Research Center poll revealing that 41 percent of Republicans now have an unfavorable view of Israel, an increase from 27 percent three years ago.

Among younger Republicans aged 18 to 44, support for candidates advocating reduced arms to Israel rises to 51 percent. This growing divide presents an opportunity for Democrats, particularly as they navigate increasing pressure to support Palestinian rights.

Margaret DeReus, executive director of the IMEU Policy Project, noted that Democrats may attract Republican voters by pivoting to focus on domestic spending priorities rather than foreign military aid.

Amid this landscape, AIPAC, which traditionally exerts considerable influence over U.S. political candidates, is reportedly distancing itself from some candidates this midterm cycle, likely in response to public dissatisfaction with Israel's actions in Gaza.

Democratic candidates like Laura Fine in Illinois are attempting to navigate this shifting political terrain while balancing their connections to pro-Israel lobbying groups against the backdrop of increasing calls for a re-evaluation of U.S. foreign policy towards Israel.

This situation highlights a complex interplay between party dynamics, voter sentiment, and foreign policy as the 2026 congressional primaries approach.