"Translate this into Hebrew": The unusual warning from a veteran supporter of Israel in Congress

Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman, a veteran supporter of Israel, issued an unusual warning to Israelis: watch a CNN segment showing a sharp drop in sympathy for the US. Sherman called for translating the segment into Hebrew, warning that Israel does not understand the extent of the change. He cited polls showing a 67-point drop in net favorability over eight years, and that 55% of Americans support reducing or ending military aid. Sherman warned that Ben Gvir's presence in the government is an "existential risk."

Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman, considered one of the most veteran and prominent supporters of Israel in the US Congress, issued an unusual and exceptional warning. Sherman, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1997 and is a long-time member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called on all Israelis to watch a segment aired on CNN last July, in which chief data commentator Harry Enten presented a series of polls indicating a sharp drop in sympathy for Israel in the US. Sherman even called for translating the segment into Hebrew, and wrote that he spoke with Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yehiel Leiter, and was impressed that neither the ambassador nor most of the Israeli public understand the magnitude of the change. "I don't think Israelis understand what's at stake," he warned. The data presented is alarming: Israel's net favorability rating dropped from +51 points in July 2018 to about -16 points today—a change of 67 points in eight years. A Pew poll from March 2026 found that 60% of US adults hold a negative view of Israel, compared to 37% positive. An Ipsos poll in partnership with the Washington Post showed that 55% of Americans support reducing or ending military aid to Israel. Sherman sharply criticized Israel's conduct in the public diplomacy and diplomatic arena, and warned that the presence of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in the government is an "existential risk." He emphasized that Israel cannot survive without friends in the world, and that events will continue to harm support as long as government bodies are not managed by those who oppose settler violence.