WASHINGTON (TNND) — For decades, support for Israel has been one of the few foreign policy issues to command broad bipartisan backing in Washington. But as Israel’s military campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran continue, that consensus is showing signs of strain.
Public opinion has become increasingly divided, particularly among younger Americans and within the Democratic Party, even as Congress continues to approve military aid and security cooperation by wide margins.
The changing political landscape comes as Israel mourns the loss of one of its closest allies in Congress. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died suddenly over the weekend, was among Israel’s most outspoken supporters on Capitol Hill. Graham frequently traveled to Israel, advocated for tougher action against Iran and worked to strengthen regional alliances, including efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Jonathan Harounoff, Israel’s former international spokesperson to the United Nations, said Graham’s death leaves a significant void.
“I think the world has lost a giant. This was a man who loved America, who loved Israel,” Harounoff told The National News Desk. “These are very big shoes to fill. He was someone who understood Israel’s real security challenges.”
Even as support in Congress remains relatively strong, Americans have grown increasingly weary of prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have intensified debate over U.S. military aid, civilian casualties and America’s role in the region. Democratic leaders have become more willing to criticize the Israeli government, reflecting broader shifts among their voters. This week, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he opposes cutting off military aid to Israel but believes the U.S.-Israel relationship requires a “major reset.”
Harounoff, however, said he personally has not seen a dramatic shift in attitudes during his conversations in Washington.
“There is legitimate criticism of Israel, and those are important conversations to have,” he said. “But oftentimes what you need is just a conversation.”
Polling, however, shows generational differences on the issue are becoming more pronounced.
A recent AP-NORC poll found older American Jews are significantly more likely than younger Jews to say support for Israel is central to their Jewish identity, even as younger Jewish Americans report experiencing higher levels of antisemitism than previous generations.
Harounoff said that distinction often means little to perpetrators of antisemitic attacks.
“They’re not really distinguishing between someone being Jewish and someone actively supporting Israel,” he said. “To them, those two things are the same.”
Meanwhile, antisemitic incidents remain well above historic levels. According to the Anti-Defamation League, reported incidents declined from a record 9,354 in 2024 to 6,274 in 2025, but still remain roughly five times higher than they were a decade ago.