JD Vance says Israel is losing the battle for American public opinion

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance has said that Israel is losing the battle for public opinion in the United States, calling it "a simple and obvious fact."

Speaking on a podcast hosted by Joe Rogan, Vance described Israel as a US ally but acknowledged that it seeks to influence American politics.

When asked whether Israel attempts to shape US political discourse, Vance replied, "Yes, Israel certainly does, and it is more effective at it than many others."

His remarks come amid polling that indicates a decline in American support for Israel.

A survey released in March by a US media organization found that 32% of Americans hold a favorable view of Israel, while 39% view the country unfavorably, reflecting a notable shift in public opinion over recent years.

The survey showed the sharpest decline in support among Democrats and independent voters. Compared with 2013, favorable views of Israel within these groups have fallen from 34% to 17%.

The polling also indicated that negative sentiment toward Israel has grown particularly among younger Americans.