Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday admitted there was a decrease in popularity of Israel and his administration among the American public, blaming the change on social media.

Public opinion toward Israel in the US has grown increasingly negative, according to several recent polls, reflecting mounting concern over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

One July survey by the Pew Research Centre found that Americans have become more critical of both the Israeli people and government in recent years.

The poll said that in 2026, 42% of Americans viewed the Israeli people unfavourably, up from 28% in 2019. Favourable views of the Israeli government fell to 32% from 41% over the same period.

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In an interview with ABC News released on Wednesday, Netanyahu said “there’s been a change because of the proliferation of social media, and the fact that sovereign countries have manipulated with bot farms and other things.”

“We can see a direct relationship between the proliferation of social media and the decline in support for Israel,” he said.

Netanyahu said that the “misrepresentation” of the “war” in Gaza assisted in the decline in support, and further claimed that “those who hate Israel hate America.”

“I think that it’s a larger battle being waged here for the heart and soul of young Americans…Does it concern me? Yes, yes, it does. And I want bipartisan support for Israel because I think that’s a fundament of our national security,” he said.

‘Anything that will produce the end of Iran’s nuclear programme is what we want’

Netanyahu said Israel and US President Donald Trump shared the same objective of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, regardless of whether that was achieved through diplomacy, economic pressure or military action.

“Anything that will produce the end of Iran’s nuclear program is what we want. That’s our common goal.”

He said Trump ultimately had the final say on US policy.

He also claimed that Iran was dishonest during negotiations, saying that they “always lie, they always cheat, and they always play for time.”

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Iran has stated that US “betrayals” and “contradictions” have hindered past negotiations.

Netanyahu also warned Tehran against launching further attacks on Israel.

“I think they’ll make a terrible mistake and will respond very, very forcefully.”

While acknowledging Iran’s government remained in power, Netanyahu said that “this regime will eventually fall.”

“As far as the regime, I said we could create the conditions to make this regime a lot weaker… I think Iran is weaker than ever before. I think Israel is stronger than ever before. But I can’t tell you that the regime has already collapsed.”

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Addressing his relationship with Trump, Netanyahu rejected portrayals that either leader controlled the other. “We’re partners, we’re allies.”

“He’s the senior partner. It’s the United States of America, let’s not forget. And I’m the junior partner, but I’m the Prime Minister of Israel,” he added.

Responding to reports that he underestimated the duration and consequences of military action against Iran, Netanyahu denied making such predictions.

“That wasn’t my early assessment, and that’s an incorrect statement of what I said.”

He insisted Trump independently viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a major threat: “I didn’t tell him that. He told me that.”

Dismisses war crimes allegations as ‘hogwash’

Netanyahu strongly rejected accusations that Israel had committed war crimes or genocide in Gaza. “Not for war crimes. I think that’s hogwash.”

He said Israeli forces took measures to protect civilians, and claimed Hamas prevented civilians “from leaving at gunpoint.”

“We sent millions of text messages, and millions of phone calls, and millions of leaflets, telling Palestinians, civilians, get out of harm’s way…Hamas stopped the civilians from leaving at gunpoint.”

Netanyahu firmly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying that they “had one. It’s called Gaza,” and adding that another Palestinian state would threaten Israel’s survival.

The International Criminal Court in November 2024 issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where more than 73,000 people have been killed in a brutal offensive since October 2023.

Israel has continued to attack the enclave despite a truce in October 2025.