Recent statements from former President Trump highlight a complex debate regarding Israel’s global standing, as polls indicate both declining public support and ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Former President Donald Trump recently predicted that more countries would soon join the Abraham Accords, reigniting discussions about whether Israel is becoming increasingly isolated or successfully expanding its strategic relationships. During a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump stated, “The Abraham Accords have been, I think, a tremendous success. I think you’re going to see a lot of countries joining pretty soon.”
This assertion underscores a central debate regarding Israel’s position on the world stage. While public support for Israel has significantly declined in the United States and globally, the nation continues to foster diplomatic, military, energy, and technological partnerships with various governments.
The Abraham Accords, which were brokered by the Trump administration in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. Expanding these agreements has been a key objective of Trump’s Middle East strategy.
The question of Israel’s isolation is nuanced and depends on how one defines it. Critics point to deteriorating public opinion, increased pressure within international institutions, and growing opposition among Democrats and younger voters. In contrast, Israeli officials and conservative foreign-policy experts argue that government-to-government cooperation remains robust and, in some cases, is even expanding.
Trump reinforced this perspective by stating that a U.S. civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia would be contingent upon the kingdom’s participation in the Abraham Accords. This statement suggests an attempt by the administration to leverage a significant offer to Riyadh to encourage normalization with Israel, although it does not indicate that Saudi Arabia has agreed to such terms.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, dismissed claims of Israel’s isolation. “The claim that Israel is an isolated country is simply not true,” Danon told Fox News Digital. He emphasized that while the campaign against Hamas has drawn international criticism, Israel’s relationships with other countries have evolved rather than weakened.
Former White House national security official Richard Goldberg echoed this sentiment, asserting that Israel maintains strong support among conservatives. He noted that polling data shows significant backing for Israel among Republicans, including those who identify as MAGA supporters. “Polling in the United States shows massive support among conservatives and Republicans for Israel still,” Goldberg said.
However, the data also reveals a troubling trend: while support for Israel remains strong among Republicans, it is waning among the broader American electorate. A survey conducted by the Reagan Institute in June found that 80% of self-identified MAGA Republicans believe Israel’s security is vital to U.S. security and prosperity, with 73% supporting the provision of U.S. weapons to Israel. Yet, overall support has declined, with only 65% of Americans affirming that Israel’s security matters to the U.S., a drop of six percentage points from the previous year.
Further complicating the situation, a Pew Research Center survey published in June indicated that a median of 67% of adults across 36 countries viewed Israel unfavorably, while only 25% held a favorable opinion. In the U.S., 60% of adults expressed an unfavorable view of Israel, a significant increase from previous years.
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel highlighted this decline in support during a speech at Tel Aviv University, stating, “Support for Israel around the world is declining.” He noted that Israel’s only significant diplomatic achievement in recent years was its relationship with Somaliland.
Despite these challenges, Goldberg and Danon argue that the focus on public opinion overlooks the expanding government-to-government relationships that are being built around defense, intelligence, energy, technology, and trade. Goldberg pointed to political shifts in Latin America, where newly elected conservative governments have prioritized re-establishing ties with Israel as evidence of a broader realignment.
He cited Argentina under President Javier Milei and the proposed “Isaac Accords,” along with political changes in Chile, Colombia, and Bolivia, as indicators of this trend. Goldberg also emphasized that Israel remains central to emerging partnerships in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly in energy and defense.
Danon noted that even within the United Nations, where Israel often faces criticism, there has been a noticeable shift in cooperation with many South American countries that were once highly critical of Israel. “These discussions are happening in public and behind the scenes,” he said.
In the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and subsequent conflict, Danon asserted that Israel is in a stronger geostrategic position than before, a sentiment echoed by Goldberg. However, the ongoing debate about Israel’s isolation remains complex and multifaceted.
Goldberg acknowledged that relationships formed through conservative political victories could be vulnerable to change when governments shift. He argued that Israel is increasingly building relationships based on enduring national interests rather than solely on political ideology.
The central risk for Israel lies in the potential long-term impact of declining public support. While conservative governments may currently bolster strategic ties, younger voters and left-wing parties could reshape those relationships after future elections. Israel is set to hold national elections on October 27, marking its first since the October 7 attacks.
Goldberg suggested that a change in leadership could serve as a litmus test for whether international opposition is primarily directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or at Israel itself. “If there is somebody else who becomes prime minister next, we will have to evaluate,” he said.
For now, both realities appear to coexist: Israel is increasingly sought after as a military, intelligence, and technology partner by a growing number of governments, while its public support is waning to levels that could eventually threaten these relationships, according to Fox News.