Israel Maintains Positive Image in U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump meet in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, 71% of Americans have a favorable view of Israel and 27% an unfavorable view. That represents the fourth straight year that Israel's favorable rating has been 70% or higher.

From 2005 through 2012, Israel's favorable score varied between 63% and 71%, but with most readings below 70%. Before that, it was more volatile, surging to 79% during the 1991 Gulf War but registering below 60% at times in 1989, 1991, 1992, 2000, 2002 and 2004.

Gallup asks Americans to give their impression of Israel and numerous other countries each year as part of its annual February World Affairs survey. This year's survey was conducted Feb. 1-5 and found 29% viewing Israel very favorably, 42% mostly favorably, 21% mostly unfavorably and 6% very unfavorably. Just 8% have no opinion of the Jewish state.

Israel enjoys a positive image among all major U.S. demographic and political groups, but scores particularly well with Republicans (81% view it favorably) and adults 65 and older (77%). While a majority of Democrats view Israel favorably, the 61% doing so is the lowest of any major subgroup.

	Total favorable	Total unfavorable
	%	%
U.S. adults	71	27
Republicans	81	18
Independents	70	27
Democrats	61	36
Men	73	26
Women	69	29
18 to 29	63	33
30 to 49	70	29
50 to 64	72	26
65 and older	77	21
Postgraduate	71	27
College graduate only	72	25
Some college	69	27
No college	70	27
Gallup, Feb. 1-5, 2017

 

Netanyahu's Image Generally Positive

Although Netanyahu himself receives more positive than negative reviews from Americans, his 49% favorable rating from U.S. adults is significantly lower than the rating of the country he governs. Another 30% view him unfavorably, while 21% -- higher than the 8% for Israel -- have no opinion of him.

Seventy-three percent of Republicans view Netanyahu favorably and only 11% unfavorably. At the same time, he sparks net-negative reviews from Democrats -- 32% favorable and 41% unfavorable -- a pattern that emerged after Netanyahu took on President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran in 2015.

Netanyahu's image is also slightly negative among adults aged 18 to 29, but that may be partly attributable to their greater unfamiliarity with him.

 

	Favorable	Unfavorable	No opinion
	%	%	%
U.S. adults	49	30	21
Republicans	73	11	16
Independents	43	36	22
Democrats	32	41	26
Men	50	32	18
Women	48	28	25
18 to 29	26	32	41
30 to 49	51	27	21
50 to 64	56	29	14
65+	58	33	9
Postgraduate	45	48	6
College graduate only	49	36	15
Some college	53	26	21
No college	47	23	30
No opinion includes % never heard of
Gallup, Feb. 1-5, 2017

 

Bottom Line

Israel is broadly liked in the U.S., with a favorable rating hovering near 70% in recent years. At 49%, Netanyahu's U.S. favorable rating falls well short of this but is net positive. Meanwhile, Trump is struggling with low job approval ratings, including an especially weak rating on foreign affairs. Wednesday's meeting with Netanyahu thus presents an opportunity for Trump to boost those ratings by engaging in friendly diplomacy.

While Americans sympathize more with the Israelis than the Palestinians in the regional dispute, they have long considered the conflict a threat to U.S. interests. Given this, Trump could also benefit in Americans' eyes if he is seen actively working toward a solution -- what he has called the "ultimate deal."

Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics.