ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces a major transformation in American public opinion toward Israel—the rising divide in public support along partisan lines. It explains the rise of the partisan divide by demonstrating the effect of social change of the parties, increased ideological cohesion and more clear and available cues from party elites. The chapter presents descriptive trends of these groups and test the three theoretical arguments using a series of interaction models. An emerging body of work points to the growing divide in support for Israel along party and ideological lines—with Republicans and conservatives demonstrating more pro-Israel views and Democrats presenting more critical views of Israel. The top-right panel summarizes the predicted probabilities of Republicans and Democrats who are evangelicals pre- and post-2001. Rynhold surveys and analyzes the development of conservative and liberal approaches to Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
