Ankara: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday admitted there was a decrease in popularity of Israel and his administration among the American public, blaming the change on social media.

According to Anadolu Agency, public opinion toward Israel in the US has grown increasingly negative, as reflected in several recent polls that highlight mounting concern over Israel's military actions in Gaza. A July survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that Americans have become more critical of both the Israeli people and government in recent years. The poll indicated that in 2026, 42% of Americans viewed the Israeli people unfavorably, up from 28% in 2019, while favorable views of the Israeli government fell to 32% from 41% over the same period.

In an interview with ABC News released on Wednesday, Netanyahu attributed this shift to the influence of social media, suggesting that it has allowed sovereign countries to manipulate public opinion through bot farms and other means. "We can see a direct relationship between the proliferation of social media and the decline in support for Israel," he stated. Netanyahu expressed concern over this trend and emphasized the importance of maintaining bipartisan support for Israel, which he considers essential for national security.

The backdrop of this admission includes the International Criminal Court's issuance of arrest warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 73,000 people since October 2023, despite a truce that was established in October 2025. Israel has continued its offensive in the Gaza enclave, further complicating its international standing.