The Unraveling Alliance: Why Young Conservatives Are Rethinking America’s Support for Israel 

A long-standing pillar of U.S. foreign policy—unwavering conservative support for Israel—is showing significant signs of fracture, primarily driven by a generational shift among young conservatives. While the alliance has historically been anchored by white evangelical Christians whose support is rooted in biblical prophecy, recent polls reveal a sharp decline in sympathy for Israel among younger conservatives, who are increasingly influenced by “America First” isolationism, moral discomfort with the war in Gaza, and influential media figures like Tucker Carlson questioning the strategic value of the relationship.

This skepticism is not only fueled by a desire to avoid foreign entanglements but is also, in some cases, veering into resurgent antisemitic conspiracy theories. While the Republican political establishment remains officially supportive, this erosion of a once-reliable base poses a profound long-term threat to the bipartisan consensus that has guaranteed Israel billions in U.S. aid and diplomatic cover for decades.

The Unraveling Alliance: Why Young Conservatives Are Rethinking America’s Support for Israel 

For decades, the U.S.-Israel relationship was a cornerstone of American foreign policy, bolstered by an unshakeable, bipartisan consensus. On the right, support for Israel was particularly fervent, rooted in the deep theological convictions of the evangelical Christian base. This alliance seemed as permanent as any in international politics. But beneath the surface, a seismic shift is underway, one that threatens to crack the very foundation of this long-standing partnership. The catalyst? A devastating war in Gaza, the rise of a new “America First” isolationism, and a generational schism that is redefining what it means to be a conservative in America today. 

The signs of this rupture are no longer whispers in closed rooms; they are broadcast to millions on prime-time podcasts and social media feeds. Influential voices like Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Marjorie Taylor Greene have moved from staunch support to vocal skepticism, questioning the cost, the rationale, and the very morality of America’s unconditional backing of Israel. This isn’t just rhetorical posturing; it reflects a dramatic swing in public opinion.

Recent polling from the Pew Research Center reveals a startling trend: negative views of Israel among conservatives under 50 have jumped from 35% to 50% in just three years. For a nation that has relied on America as its primary shield on the global stage, this erosion of support among its most loyal defenders is not just a political problem—it is an existential challenge. 

The Pillar of Unwavering Support: A Primer on Christian Zionism 

To understand the gravity of this shift, one must first appreciate the power of the coalition that is now fracturing. For generations, the bedrock of American support for Israel was not, in fact, the American Jewish community, but tens of millions of white evangelical Christians. Their commitment, as Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer, an evangelical leader from Oklahoma, explains, is not merely political but profoundly theological. 

“It’s rooted in the covenant that God made with the Jewish people,” Lahmeyer notes, referencing Old Testament promises that many evangelicals believe are eternal and unbroken. “If God says, ‘This land belongs to you eternally,’ then it belongs to you eternally—because God’s the creator, he’s the owner.” 

This belief system, known as Christian Zionism, views the modern state of Israel as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. For many, supporting Israel is a sacred duty, a way to honor divine will. Furthermore, a significant strand of evangelical thought holds that the ingathering of Jews to Israel is a necessary precursor to the Second Coming of Christ. As historian Daniel Hummel of the University of Wisconsin-Madison explains, this support became a potent political force, especially after the 9/11 attacks. Groups like Christians United for Israel (CUFI) mobilized millions into a single-issue lobby, advocating not just for Israel’s security but for its most expansionist policies, such as settlements in the West Bank. 

This unwavering, biblically-based support made Christian Zionists Israel’s most valuable American asset. While left-leaning politicians and voters grew increasingly critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, the evangelical right stood firm, offering a political shield that ensured continued military aid and diplomatic cover. They were, as Hummel describes, “the last bastion of organized, large-scale national support for Israel.” But that bastion is now under assault from within. 

The Fault Lines Exposed: War, Isolationism, and a Generational Revolt 

The war in Gaza, with its staggering humanitarian toll, acted like an earthquake, exposing and widening pre-existing fissures. For a growing number of young conservatives, the traditional rationale for supporting Israel no longer holds water. Their skepticism is driven by a potent blend of new priorities. 

1. The “America First” Doctrine:The populist, MAGA-aligned wing of the Republican Party is fundamentally isolationist. Its adherents believe American foreign policy should serve only America’s narrow, material interests. From this perspective, the billions in annual military aid to Israel—often framed as the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreignassistance—is a wasteful giveaway. When Tucker Carlson told white nationalist Nick Fuentes, “We get nothing out of it,” he was channeling this widespread sentiment. It’s a dramatic departure from the neoconservative vision of spreading democracy, reflecting a desire to disengage from foreign entanglements, particularly in the Middle East. 
2. Moral Revulsion and the Media Age:The graphic and immediate nature of the conflict in Gaza, streamed across social media platforms, has beena game-changer. Unlike their parents, who may have viewed the conflict through a purely theological or Cold War-era lens, younger conservatives are often exposed to the same images of devastation that have galvanized the left. This has created a moral discomfort that challenges their core identity. How can one be “pro-life” and support a war causing massive civilian casualties? This cognitive dissonance is pushing them to question narratives they once took for granted. 
3. The Rise of Anti-Estamentarianism:This new skepticism is not purely political; it is also theological. As Curt Mills, editor of theAmerican Conservative, points out, many of the new critics are Catholic, non-evangelical Protestants, or secular. They do not share the evangelical belief in the Jews’ ongoing divine covenant. This allows them to view Israel not as a fulfillment of prophecy, but as just another nation-state—and a problematic one at that. This separation of theology from policy opens the door to criticism that was once considered taboo. 

When Skepticism Curdles into Conspiracy 

While much of the criticism is rooted in legitimate policy debates, the conversation on the fringes has taken a dark and dangerous turn. The conflict has become a vehicle for resurgent antisemitic tropes that were once relegated to the darkest corners of the internet. 

Candace Owens, for instance, used a meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and social media influencers to resurrect the classic antisemitic canard of Jewish control over media. Nick Fuentes, on Carlson’s show, openly argued that “organized Jewry” prevents America from unifying. This is not a critique of Israeli policy; it is an attack on Jewish people themselves, repackaging centuries-old Christian conspiracy theories for a modern audience. 

This creates a precarious tightrope for the movement. Leaders like Carlson attempt to distinguish between “questioning our relationship with Israel” and outright antisemitism, but the lines are easily blurred. The energy of the movement is increasingly fueled by a resentment that can easily be directed at Jewish institutions and individuals at home, not just at the Israeli government abroad. 

The Political Stakes: What Happens When the Shield Cracks? 

The ultimate question is whether this shift in sentiment will translate into a change in policy. For now, the official Republican apparatus remains staunchly pro-Israel. The Trump administration is populated with Christian Zionists like Ambassador Mike Huckabee, and the party platform continues to reflect unwavering support. 

However, politics is ultimately a game of coalitions and incentives. As Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor at the University of Maryland, observes, “The question… is whether the shift in public opinion in-and-of-itself would lead to a shift in policy. And that’s not a straightforward line.” 

Yet, the long-term implications are profound. Israel has grown accustomed to relying on the American right as its ultimate political insurance policy. If that policy is canceled by a new generation of conservatives who are more isolationist, more morally conflicted, and less theologically driven, Israel will find itself in a dramatically different America. The billions in aid, the diplomatic protection at the UN, the shared intelligence—all of it could become subject to a debate that was once unthinkable. 

The unraveling of the conservative-Israel alliance is more than a political realignment; it is a story of a changing America. It is a tale of how a new generation is rejecting the foreign policy and even the religious doctrines of its parents, and how the unthinkable can quickly become the inevitable. The crack may seem small now, but in the hard landscape of geopolitics, even the smallest crack can eventually cause a foundation to split.