Support for imposing sanctions on Israel is surging among Democratic voters, according to two major polls released on October 3, 2025. This shift signals a dramatic realignment within the party, as grassroots sentiment pushes back against decades of traditional U.S. support for Israel—and it comes at a time when the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is front and center in global headlines.
The University of Maryland poll surveyed over 1,000 registered voters and found that 57% of Democrats support sanctions on Israel over its military actions in Gaza, while 36% are opposed. Notably, 44% of respondents described Israel’s actions as genocide against Palestinians. The generational divide is stark: among Democrats aged 18 to 29, a whopping 70% support sanctions, suggesting younger voters are leading the call for a new approach to U.S. policy in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, a separate poll conducted by YouGov for the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) and Gen-Z for Change surveyed more than 1,200 likely Democratic primary voters. The findings were even more pronounced: 65% favor sanctions on Israel—including bans on credit extensions, arms imports, and entry for Israeli officials—while 72% believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Additionally, 75% oppose renewing the U.S. memorandum of understanding that provides annual weapons funding to Israel. The poll also revealed that 76% support banning credit extensions through Israeli bonds, 75% back restrictions on imports of Israeli-made weapons and cybersecurity software, and 62% support prohibiting Israeli officials and soldiers from entering the U.S.
The backdrop to these numbers is a conflict that has grown only more deadly and contentious. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack, the Israeli army’s response has resulted in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, according to the YouGov-IMEU poll. Most casualties have been women and children, and the relentless bombardment has rendered the enclave nearly uninhabitable, with starvation and disease spreading rapidly. These grim realities have fueled outrage among many Americans—especially younger voters—who see U.S. financial and military aid as directly implicated in the crisis.
International legal scrutiny has intensified as well. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. These developments have added urgency to calls for accountability and have emboldened activists demanding a complete reassessment of U.S. policy.
Democratic leaders are feeling the heat from their base. Progressive icons like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have publicly criticized Israel’s actions, urging a more balanced and humanitarian approach. Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress, amplified the IMEU’s call for comprehensive sanctions and a total arms embargo, stating, “Sanctions and a complete arms embargo are necessary to end the genocide and apartheid in Palestine.” Margaret DeReus, the executive director of the IMEU Policy Project, echoed this sentiment, saying, “As we all witness the ongoing genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians with our tax dollars, Democratic voters are saying clearly the time has come for comprehensive accountability measures against Israel.”
Yet, not all Democrats are on the same page. President Joe Biden and other established party leaders have maintained a pro-Israel stance, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries offered a more nuanced view, stating, “While we must ensure Israel’s security, we must also advocate for a peaceful resolution that honors the rights of Palestinians.” This tension between the party’s leadership and its increasingly vocal base is creating a rift that could shape the future of Democratic foreign policy.
These polling results are not occurring in a vacuum. Social media has played a pivotal role in galvanizing support for Palestinian rights and amplifying images and stories from Gaza. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram have become battlegrounds for public opinion, with hashtags such as #FreePalestine trending globally. Younger voters, in particular, are using these platforms to organize protests, share information, and demand accountability from elected officials. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed a group of hand-picked social media influencers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, urging them to help “fight back” against Israel’s deteriorating image in the U.S.—a telling sign of how important online narratives have become.
This surge in support for Palestinian rights is reflected in broader public opinion as well. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 49% of Americans now view Israel’s actions as excessive—a notable shift from previous years, when U.S. public opinion was consistently more favorable toward Israel. The Democratic Party’s transformation on this issue is part of a larger trend of rising skepticism about unconditional U.S. support for Israel, particularly as the humanitarian toll in Gaza mounts and international legal proceedings gain traction.
The historical context cannot be ignored. Since 1948, the United States has provided Israel with more than $150 billion in bilateral assistance, making it one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign aid. Traditionally, this support has been justified as a means of ensuring Israel’s security in a volatile region. But as the facts on the ground change and public opinion shifts, the longstanding consensus is being challenged as never before. In late July 2025, a majority of Senate Democrats voted to block arms sales to Israel—an unprecedented move that underscores the magnitude of the current realignment.
With the 2024 election season looming, Democratic candidates will be forced to grapple with these evolving views. The growing call for sanctions could reshape legislative priorities, influence funding decisions, and alter the party’s electoral prospects—especially in districts where Palestinian rights advocates have mobilized significant grassroots support. The debate is far from settled, and the Democratic Party’s internal struggle over Israel is likely to remain a defining issue in the months and years ahead.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and international legal challenges mount, the voices demanding accountability are only growing louder. The Democratic Party’s reckoning with its stance on Israel may well prove to be one of the most consequential foreign policy debates of this political era.