Support for Israel, which has traditionally been considered a given among GOP-aligned activist circles, has recently become a topic of debate. This shift was partly sparked by a straw poll conducted by Turning Point Action at AmericaFest. In this poll, attendees were asked to categorize Israel as either a “Top Ally,” “One of many allies,” or “Not an ally.”
Screenshots of the poll question were shared with The Dallas Express by AmericaFest attendees, who said they were struck by the framing and by the fact that Israel’s status was presented as a live debate rather than an assumption.
The question appeared as the sixth item in what the text message poll described as “the OFFICIAL Turning Point Action Straw Poll for AmericaFest attendees.” It is unclear how many attendees received the link or responded.
The multi-day event began on December 17 and concluded on December 20, and typically draws thousands, including students, activists, and donors from across the country. AmericaFest registration materials show the event includes attendees as young as 13, with ticket prices ranging from $25 for students to $600 for adult VIP passes.
A number of influential political figures addressed AmFest this year, including Vice President JD Vance.
Turning Point USA has not publicly released crosstabs or topline results for the Israel question, and the organization did not respond to questions from The Dallas Express about how the results would be used or whether similar questions were asked in prior years.
The inclusion of the question nonetheless mirrors a broader debate now playing out inside the Republican coalition, according to an analysis by the Institute for National Security Studies.
The report said Israel “has recently emerged as a major flash point within the Republican coalition,” with growing arguments over whether continued support aligns with an “America First” foreign policy, while warning that antisemitic rhetoric has become more visible in some online and media spaces, per the institute.
The report argued that ideological, religious, and technological shifts, combined with images from the Gaza war, have driven skepticism toward Israel among younger Americans, including Republicans under age 50, citing Pew survey data. It concluded that Israeli interests can no longer assume unified support in either major party.
Nevertheless, Israeli and American military and intelligence agencies are frequently reported to work together on national security matters. The two nations were widely reported to have worked together in carrying out a strike on Iran’s nuclear program earlier this year.
