Why Young Right Are Rethinking Israel
By Savannah Hamilton
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed here are those of the authors. View more opinions on ScoonTV
Once upon a time, support for Israel was practically a given among American conservatives. The “Republicans = pro-Israel” formula was so ingrained it might as well have been written into the party platform.
Lately, though, something’s changed. A growing number of young conservatives, especially those under 35, are starting to deviate from that script. According to one recent survey, the share of Republicans under 50 holding an unfavorable view of Israel rose from 35% in 2022 to 50% in 2025.
No, they’re not suddenly waving Palestinian flags or joining left-wing protests. But they are questioning the once-sacred alliance with Israel. They’re skeptical, loud, and no longer afraid to say, “Hey, maybe this isn’t our fight.”
Before you blame TikTok or liberal universities for “poisoning the youth,” it’s worth noting this trend isn’t limited to Gen Z. The same cooling shows up (though more subtly) even among older conservatives, independents, and, believe it or not…in parts of Israel itself.
But Why? Blame “America First”
To understand what’s driving the decline, it helps to remember just how deep the conservative bond with Israel runs. For decades, this friendship has only blossomed due to Cold War geopolitics, shared democratic values, biblical ties, and a common-sense stance against terrorism. Israel has always been (and remains) America’s reliable outpost in a highly volatile region — call it a moral ally defending “Western civilization” in the Middle East.
But then came 9/11, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and two decades of watching Washington chase one foreign fight after another that cost lives, money, and credibility. So, it’s no surprise that by the time Trump’s “America First” movement rolled around, the tone had taken a turn.
Foreign aid? Waste of taxpayer money.
Endless wars? “Deep State” distraction.
Globalist interests? Ugh…Don’t even start.
The 2023 Hamas attacks, which killed over a thousand people and started the whole hostage fiasco, definitely reignited sympathy for Israel. But with time and the rising civilian death toll, public sentiment naturally started to fracture.
Support didn’t vanish overnight, but it was no longer unconditional. And this has been noted by several independent research outlets, with polls now showing a steady decline in favorable views of Israel among Republicans, especially those under 35. Granted, the difference isn’t night and day, but more than enough for people to take notice.
However, younger conservatives aren’t abandoning the alliance — they’re simply questioning it. Unlike their parents, they don’t see Gaza as a simple “good versus evil” fight. To them, it’s a grim and complicated conflict with bad people on both sides, messy consequences and no easy answers.
And no, this isn’t “antisemitism,” despite how some media might try to spin it. It’s skepticism — a reasonable demand for transparency on why, exactly, America is so deeply invested in a foreign conflict.
In a way, one could argue that Trump himself fueled this instinct. His MAGA movement and “America First” ideology made it cool to call out political hypocrisy, especially in geopolitical policy. Viewed through that lens, unconditional support for Israel looks less like patriotism — and more like another costly foreign parasite that drains resources, breeds conflict, and offers little tangible benefit to Americans.
Of Course, Social Media Has a Say Too
It wouldn’t be 2025 without social media stirring the pot, and this debate is no exception. Scroll through any platform and you’ll notice right away that pro-Palestine content dominates the feed. It’s emotional, visual, and unfiltered — exactly the kind of thing that grabs people’s attention.
By contrast, pro-Israel messaging is noticeably harder to find, and when it does appear, some argue it often feels polished, institutional, and frankly…eh, a little outdated.
And that matters a lot because people (younger generations even more so) aren’t getting their worldviews from Fox News or printed news anymore. They’re tuning into podcasts, live streams, and independent creators — people who independently question foreign aid, interventionism, and the mass media. Increasingly, many of them are also able to show raw, on-the-ground footage or rare insight that legacy outlets would never air.
Social media has also done something traditional media could never do. That is, it forces authority to take a step back. Any teenager with an iPhone can now challenge a government narrative in real time, and their clip will probably go more viral than any official statement that follows. Which, as you can probably picture, only spirals the situation further. And as a result? A generation that’s more informed, more skeptical, and far less willing to accept “because we said so” as an argument.
The Fall of the “Israel” Brand
Another factor behind the cooling sentiment is Israel’s own leadership, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself.
Once admired by many world leaders (especially American conservatives) as a tough, no-nonsense statesman, Netanyahu’s image has taken a hit in recent years — no thanks to accusations of corruption, controversial judicial reforms, and criticism over his handling of the Gaza situation.
For younger conservatives who grew up skeptical of political elites at home, Netanyahu now feels like part of that same establishment — a figure more focused on political survival than principle. Combine that with what many see as Israel’s unnecessarily escalating military response in Gaza, and suddenly, the old “shared values” narrative doesn’t land the way it used to.
Even among young Jewish Americans (who are majority on the right side of the political spectrum), traditional support for Israel is showing signs of strain. And Israel itself is no exception, with reports of public frustration with Netanyahu’s leadership growing noticeable via protests, political divides, and calls for accountability that have become a regular part of the domestic scene.
The Charlie Kirk Effect
If there was one moment that showed the pro-Israel generational split among the young American right, it was the backlash to Charlie Kirk earlier this year.
A few months before his assassination, Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and one of the loudest voices among Gen Z conservatives, did the “unthinkable” in Republican circles — he questioned Israel’s actions in Gaza.
He didn’t call for cutting ties, and he definitely didn’t take Hamas’s side. Nah. In fact, he flat-out said in one interview that he still supports Israel “at the end of the day.” But all it took was asking a few uncomfortable questions, like why does the US keep sending billions in aid, and why does anyone who questions it get shut down, for things to spiral out of control.
It didn’t take long for the backlash to come hard and heavy. Pro-Israel donors reportedly threatened to pull funding from Turning Point events. Commentators accused him of “betraying Israel” and “normalizing antisemitism.” And that was just the beginning. The man received continuing harassment even from his so-called “fans.”
Then came the moment that shook everyone — a fatal shot silenced Kirk mid-rally, stunning not only the nation but many other countries across the globe.
Within hours, social media exploded. Some claimed he’d been “taken out” for challenging powerful interests. Others pointed fingers at “the Deep State” or foreign (read: Israeli) actors.
None of it was proven, but the theories spread like wildfire. But what’s interesting is, most of those conversations weren’t coming from the left — they were happening inside the conservative circles themselves.
Some analysts even called it a turning point (no pun intended) in how the young right views Israel, though the shift has obviously been brewing long before. Still, this moment definitely poured fuel on the fire. For a generation raised online, used to questioning everything the government or media says, the idea that speaking out could have consequences didn’t sound so far-fetched. Kirk’s death (whatever the real story) became something bigger than the man himself — a quiet warning of what happens when you say the “wrong” thing in politics.
The Global Glance
Naturally, you might ask, how does the rest of the world see all of this? For now, the generational shift is clearest in the US, but similar currents are quietly emerging elsewhere — although solid data on younger conservatives and certain issues specifically is hard to come by abroad.
For sure, in Westernised countries, overall support for Israel has definitely cooled a bit, though young conservatives still largely back Israel in principle. That said, polls show younger Europeans, both across the left and right, are more critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza than older generations. Again, the difference isn’t huge, but it’s noticeable.
Europe’s right-wing movements, however, tend to be more nationalist and identity-driven than their American counterparts. Leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni or Hungary’s Viktor Orbán remain primarily pro-Israel, framing it as part of a larger issue, such as Christian Europe vs. Islamist extremism.
Where the young European right seems to diverge isn’t on Israel itself, but on foreign policy fatigue. They’re less invested in overseas conflicts and more focused on domestic priorities — migration, energy, and national sovereignty.
Across the Balkans, call it Europe but still not tarnished by woke Western propaganda, the trend is similar, where younger conservatives pay attention, but Israel isn’t at the top of their mind, and foreign entanglements aren’t exactly thrilling either.
And looking beyond Europe, there are some hints that Millennials and Gen Z in parts of Latin America, Asia, and Africa are also stepping back from unconditional support for Israel — though again, hard data is scarce and mostly based on media reports, which (as we know) can be sketchy.
Globally speaking, the common theme is that kids these days are approaching all conflicts with a grain of salt. They see wars as messy, morally complicated, and often more costly than they’re worth — even if it’s a cause they stand for.
Rewriting the Rules
Young conservatives aren’t breaking up with Israel — they’re just redefining the boundaries of what support looks like.
This is a generation raised on endless wars, political BS, and unfiltered takes on everything from Gaza to government spending. Their first question isn’t “Who do we support today?” It’s…“What’s in it for us?”
So, blind loyalty? Forget it. They want accountability. They’re questioning foreign aid, military interventions, and political taboos. Leaders — whether in Washington, Jerusalem, or anywhere in between, no matter the party — aren’t automatically off-limits anymore.
The shift among younger American Republicans isn’t about abandoning principles but about priorities. They’re not solely chasing utopian ideology. Yes, they want results, such as security at home, stable markets, and less global chaos. But they’re also thinking about the human side of conflicts, the civilians caught in the crossfire, and the broader consequences of their country’s actions. They’re weighing all sides instead of following politics blindly.
Older Republicans might see some of this as “betrayal,” but it’s really just another evolution of generational politics. There’s no question that conservative Millennials and Get Z remain patriotic — they’re just unwilling to outsource their conscience.
Despite what some media narratives suggest, this says far less about antisemitism than it does about fatigue — fatigue with war, propaganda, and the idea that one has to “pick a side” even if it’s not clear who’s right, who’s wrong, or who’s really paying the price.
Oh, and it’s worth noting that these are the voters of today and the leaders of tomorrow. The questions they ask, the standards they hold, and the choices they make will shape not only American but global policy for generations to come. And as they move from the sidelines into positions of real influence, this trend will definitely be one to watch.
Curtis Scoon is the founder of ScoonTv.com Download the ScoonTv App to join our weekly livestream every Tuesday @ 8pm EST! Support true independent media. Become a VIP member www.scoontv.com/vip-signup/ and download the ScoonTv App from your App Store.
