The debate remains alive among Democrats
According to a report by Vedomosti, analysts estimate that, despite growing public criticism of Israel, particularly among younger Americans and Democratic Party voters, the power of the pro-Israel lobby and the long-standing strategic priorities of the United States make any substantial change in American support policy unlikely. Because the committee's meetings were held behind closed doors, there is no publicly available data regarding the number of lawmakers who supported the amendment. However, members of the Democratic Progressive Caucus told Axios that reducing US aid to Israel is a subject of active debate within the party.
Major differences between Democrats and Republicans
Although Israel's image has deteriorated overall in American public opinion, this shift appears much more pronounced among Democrats compared to Republicans. According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in April, 41% of Republicans state they have a negative view of Israel, compared to 80% of Democratic voters.
Experts see no change in strategy
Kamran Gasanov, PhD in Political Science from the University of Salzburg, told Vedomosti that, despite the rising anti-Israel sentiment among younger Americans, United States-Israel relations are unlikely to shift fundamentally. As he noted, Washington has occasionally exerted pressure on the Israeli leadership during international crises, such as under the presidency of Joe Biden, without however imposing sanctions on Israelis. "Any American administration will first ensure the security of the Jewish state and then everyone else," he noted.
The role of the pro-Israel lobby
Lev Sokolshchik, chief researcher at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics, argued that the historically powerful influence of the pro-Israel lobby in the United States continues to be the main reason why President Donald Trump, as well as a significant number of American politicians, would hardly risk a serious deterioration of Washington's relations with Israel.
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