Rabat – Israel’s war on Gaza has significantly deteriorated popular perception of the US in Arab countries while China has gained in favor, according to a new report by the Arab Barometer.
America’s unwavering support for Israel despite their blatant violation of international law has caused people across Arab countries to become disillusioned with the US and favor China.
According to the Arab Barometer surveys conducted since October 7, 2023, in five diverse Arab countries including Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, and Morocco, the decline in US favorability is striking.
In Jordan, the percentage of respondents who viewed the United States favorably dropped dramatically from 51% in 2022 to 28% in a poll conducted in the winter of 2023–24.
Likewise, in Mauritania, favorable views of the US fell from 50% in the winter of 2021–22 to 31% in the winter of 2023–24. In Lebanon, the decline was from 42% in the winter of 2021–22 to 27% in early 2024.
Israel’s war on Gaza has marked a pivotal moment not only for the Israel-Palestine conflict but for the entire Arab world.
The anticipation of diplomatic normalization between Israel and key Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, was abruptly halted by Israel’s large-scale air and ground assault on Gaza that had followed Hamas’s October 7 attack, argues an analysis from Foreign Affairs.
The analysis further maintains that Arab nations, which were previously on a steady course to normalize relations with Israel, have halted their plans, and are now demanding concrete steps towards a Palestinian state from Israel.
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This shift in Arab sentiment has had profound implications for the United States, Israel’s staunch ally. Arab public opinion has turned sharply against the US due to its support for Israel’s crimes in Gaza.
Biannual surveys conducted by the nonpartisan research organization Arab Barometer reveal a dramatic decline in Arab citizens’ favorable views of the US since late 2023.
In addition, Arab disillusionment with the US has translated into a surprising warming towards China. Despite China’s limited involvement in Middle Eastern affairs, Arab citizens now view China more favorably than in previous years, reversing a trend of declining support for China in the region.
The Arab Barometer surveys also revealed that in all the countries surveyed after October 7, at least half of the respondents said they held favorable views of China. In both Jordan and Morocco, key US allies, China has benefited from at least a 15-point increase in its favorability ratings.
The shift suggests that Arab sentiment is driven more by dissatisfaction with US policies than genuine support for Chinese initiatives in Gaza, the analysis concludes.
US foreign policy in the region has taken a significant hit in the aftermath of Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza. Arab leaders, sensitive to public opinion, may be reluctant to openly cooperate with the US, fearing backlash from their citizens.
However, the decline in US popularity in the Arab world is not irreversible. Arab Barometer’s findings suggest that changes in US policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could improve Arab perceptions.
While acknowledging the deteriorating perception of America in Arab countries, the analysis maintains that the US could still salvage its image. Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, increased humanitarian assistance, and long-term support for a two-state solution are among the measures that could help restore trust in the US.
Meanwhile, China’s growing favorability will continue to present a challenge to US dominance in the region. Despite its minimal involvement in Middle Eastern affairs, China’s economic initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, have garnered support among Arab citizens disillusioned with US policies.
