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Israel’s standing in the United States is declining at an unprecedented rate, including among Republicans, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to reverse the trend, former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said.
Shapiro, who served as ambassador from 2011 to 2017, made the remarks in an interview with Israel’s Reshet Bet radio, according to the broadcaster.
He said the decline was unprecedented even among Republican voters and that it was difficult to view Netanyahu as part of the solution.
Shapiro also suggested that US President Donald Trump might reconsider which Israeli government he would prefer to work with, saying Trump could conclude that dealing with another government would be easier.
Growing criticism in the United States
Successive US administrations have provided Israel with military, financial and diplomatic support, including Washington’s use of its veto at the UN Security Council.
However, public opinion polls have shown growing criticism of Israel during its war in Gaza, particularly among younger Americans.
Shapiro’s comments came ahead of Israel’s general election on Oct. 27. Polls cited by Israeli media indicate that Netanyahu’s coalition is short of the 61 seats required to form a government.
Netanyahu shortens New York visit
Meanwhile, security warnings have prompted Netanyahu to shorten his visit to New York to several hours, with no overnight stay, Israel’s Channel 13 reported on Wednesday.
Netanyahu is expected to arrive on Thursday morning, address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and leave the city later the same day, according to the reported schedule. Another Israeli outlet also reported that he would remain in New York for only a few hours.
Channel 13 said security officials had advised against extending the visit following discussions held in recent days, some of which Netanyahu attended. The intelligence assessment presented at those meetings included specific warnings, although the broadcaster did not disclose their nature.
The visit comes amid expectations of protests in New York over Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
It also follows comments by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and an “architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinians”.
Mamdani had previously urged US federal authorities to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu, while acknowledging that New York City officials lack the legal authority to do so.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
