For years, public opinion in the United States has been slowly shifting in favour of the Palestinian cause. But the events of October 7, 2023, marked a historic turning point. What was once limited to progressive and youth-driven Democratic circles has now started to penetrate even the heart of the American right—specifically, the core base of Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement.
The Financial Times recently posed a striking question: “Has Gaza tested the limits of Donald Trump’s support for Benjamin Netanyahu?”
The paper cited Trump’s remarks during a visit to Scotland, where he stated: “There is real starvation going on in Gaza,” just a day after Netanyahu dismissed such reports as “a blatant lie.” Trump said he saw images of starving Palestinians on TV and described anyone unmoved by them as either “cold-hearted” or “insane.” For a man once celebrated by Netanyahu as “Israel’s greatest friend ever,” this marked an extraordinary public rebuke—and one rarely heard from any American president.
The Collapse of Bipartisan Consensus on Israel
What’s more significant than Trump’s words is the shift happening within his own base. Far-right Republicans, podcast influencers, and young conservatives have begun expressing scepticism toward Washington’s unwavering support for Israel. Influential figures like Candace Owens, a known MAGA commentator, questioned the relationship outright, calling it “strange, grotesque, and perverse.” Pro-Trump Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene even referred to the Gaza war as a “genocide”, and proposed legislation to halt U.S. military aid to Israel.
Though Congress blocked the proposal, polling now shows a clear trend: young Republicans are increasingly critical of Netanyahu and the Israeli state. According to a Middle East expert in contact with the administration, Trump recently told a major Jewish donor:
“My people are starting to hate Israel.”
This shift is not going unnoticed in Tel Aviv. As analyst Jon Hoffman from the libertarian Cato Institute explained, Israeli officials are well aware that the “blank check” extended by the current administration may not survive beyond the 2026 midterm elections—or a change in leadership altogether.
Rising Tensions, Red Lines, and Recalculated Alliances
Recent reports suggest that after Israel bombed the only Catholic church in Gaza in July 2025—an act that drew condemnation from Christian leaders worldwide—Trump phoned Netanyahu in anger. On the same day, Israel carried out airstrikes in Damascus. Trump reportedly intervened swiftly, instructing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to de-escalate tensions and prevent a broader crisis.
In June, following a temporary ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel brokered by Trump, the former president lashed out at Netanyahu for continuing airstrikes. Analysts now believe Trump is drawing his own red lines, not necessarily out of moral concern but based on shifting public sentiment and perceived American interests.
Yet Trump’s stance remains ambiguous. As Senator Chris Murphy noted, “Trump says everything and its opposite. It’s impossible to build policy on that.” Murphy argued that Trump is driven not by moral values but by the instincts of a political animal who gauges the public mood with a merchant’s eye. When Trump says, “My people are starting to hate Israel,” the real question becomes: will he follow their lead?
Democratic Defections and Historic Senate Votes
On the Democratic side, change has been more pronounced. In a landmark Senate vote, a majority of Democratic senators for the first time backed measures to halt offensive weapons sales to Israel. The resolution—championed by Senator Bernie Sanders and supported by Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch—sought to block a $675.7 million deal involving heavy bombs and precision-guidance systems, along with tens of thousands of automatic rifles destined for extremist-controlled Israeli police forces.
Sanders stated:
“U.S. weapons are being used to kill civilians and violate international law… We have laws forbidding aid to those who obstruct humanitarian assistance or violate human rights. Israel is doing both.”
Though the measures were ultimately defeated (70 votes to 27), they marked a historic shift: for the first time, over half of Democratic senators opposed arming Israel. This legislative moment reflected broader opinion trends. According to an April 2025 Gallup poll, only 36% of Americans now support Israel’s actions in Gaza, down from 54% in October 2023.
A June 2025 Pew survey found that:
- 64% of Democrats say Israel “went too far” in its military response,
- 42% of Republicans agree—an all-time high since polling on the issue began in 2006,
- 58% of young Americans under 30 believe Washington should pressure Israel to end the war,
- Only 23% of youth support Israel unconditionally.
Strategic Implications: A Shrinking Window for Israel
So what does all this mean for Israel strategically?
Think tanks like Cato and Defense Priorities warn that the Israeli government sees the writing on the wall. As Jon Hoffman explains, Israel is trying to secure maximum regional gains in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria before American political support begins to erode—whether due to 2026 elections or growing intra-party fractures.
Analysts also believe that Trump has begun setting boundaries with Netanyahu. His reaction to the Gaza church bombing and the subsequent outreach to Damascus indicate a growing sensitivity to backlash—even if it’s based more on optics than principle.
Still, Trump’s erratic nature leaves room for doubt. As Senator Murphy concluded, “You can’t trust a man who changes his stance every hour.” Trump may be responding to the ground shift in American public opinion, but his motivations are far from humanitarian. What moves him is the scent of political momentum, not the cries of the oppressed.
Conclusion: Gaza’s Endurance, America’s Turning Tide
The ongoing war—now approaching two years since October 2023—has reaffirmed a stark truth: the Zionist regime cannot sustain its campaign for even a day without full American backing. And yet, Gaza continues to persevere without even a loaf of bread from the world.
As the late Alija Izetbegović, wartime president of Bosnia, once said during the darkest days of genocide:
“Victory belongs not to those who kill the most, but to those who endure the longest.”
Human history has never witnessed endurance like that of Gaza’s people—nor cruelty like that unleashed by Netanyahu’s war machine.
Truth will prevail.the oppressed is mightier than the oppresser.faith n resilient will win the war.in the mean time,what the international community n government will assist n give aids?one is weak but many will be strong.helping a helpless human won’t be a sin.think!!!🙏🤔🤨🤬😇❤️🩹❣️🧠🫀🫶🤲🤜🤛✌️🫰