Support for Israel in Europe hits record low, YouGov survey finds

Al Arabiya

3 days ago

Public support and sympathy for Israel in Europe has fallen to its lowest level ever, according to a recent survey by YouGov.
The pollster said fewer than a fifth of respondents in six countries hold a favorable view of Israel. The survey was conducted between 12 and 26 May across Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Spain and Italy.
Sympathizing with the Palestinian side
Around 18 to 33 percent sided with the Palestinian side while 7 to 21 percent favored the Israeli side.
However, a significant proportion of people chose either to sympathize with both sides equally or said they were unsure, indicating a complex public sentiment and a reluctancy to fully take sides.
Understanding the attitude
More people reported understanding the attitudes of the Palestinians – even if they did not personally agree with them – than those who said they could not. The difference was most notable in Britain, where 51 percent people said they could understand the Palestinian viewpoint, while 22 percent said they could not.
More respondents in France, Germany, Spain and Italy said they could not understand Israel's viewpoint than those who said they could. Around 19 to 48 percent of the people said they understood the Israeli stance.
Net favorability towards Israel in Germany (-44), France (-48), and Denmark (-54) was the lowest since the polling began and in Italy (-52) and Spain (-55) was also at its lowest, whereas in the US, it was at -46, slightly higher than its low of -49 in late 2024.
Overall, only between 13 percent and 21 percent of respondents in any country polled had a favourable view of Israel, compared with 63-70 percent whose views were unfavourable.
Perception on Hamas attack and Israel's response
The 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was overwhelmingly regarded as not justified by a majority in every country – around two-thirds to three-quarters. Very few respondents considered it justified.
In contrast, Israel's military response in Gaza received more mixed responses. A majority of the respondents in most countries said it was not justified, particularly in Spain and Italy. Between 44-66 percent people viewed Israel's actions in Gaza as not justified whereas only 9-28 percent said they thought it was justified.
Most respondents believed Israel was right to send troops into Gaza in response to the Hamas attacks but that the response has gone too far and caused excessive civilian casualties. Fewer believed Israel acted proportionately, and a smaller portion believed Israel was wrong to use force at all.
Opinion on lasting peace agreement
Asked whether they thought a permanent peace agreement was likely in the next decade, respondents in every country were more likely to say it was unrealistic than realistic.
Denmark was the most pessimistic, with two-thirds (67 percent) doubting the feasibility of peace in the near future.
The French were the most optimistic that this may happen in the next 10 years, but even then, only 29 percent said they believed it.
France is also leading efforts to persuade other European countries, including the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, to recognise Palestinian statehood at a joint UN conference with Saudi Arabia in New York on June 17.
A total 147 of 193 UN member states currently recognise the State of Palestine. Spain, Ireland and Norway agreed to recognition last year.
Israel's war on Gaza under the mandate of defeating Hamas has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, leaving two million Gazans on the brink of starvation and displaced from their homes.
The war began after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,218 people and saw 251 taken as hostages, 57 of whom remain in Gaza including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.