LONDON/DECCA NEWS
Declining Attitudes Toward Israel in Western Europe Reach All-Time Lows
Israel's relentless aggression in Gaza and its obstruction of vital aid supplies have sent public sentiments toward the Middle Eastern nation plummeting to unprecedented ** inequity**, as per a U.K.-commissioned opinion survey, revealed this week.
Israel, a nation often looked upon favorably in Western Europe, has drawn extensive criticism from several countries, including Germany, its staunchest ally in Europe, following its decision to impose an aid embargo on the disputed territory.
The survey, carried out by the U.K.-based polling firm YouGov across six Western European countries, paint a striking picture of waning support for Israel.
The opinion poll was conducted between May 12 and 26, involving 8,625 respondents, and the results are nothing short of staggering. The percentage of participants expressing sympathetic views of Israel varies from 13 percent in tough economies like Italy and Greece to 21 percent in wealthier countries such as Germany, France, Denmark, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, those with hostile sentiments toward Israel range from 63 percent in Turkey to a whopping 70 percent in Greece.
Notably, when the percentage of advantageous perceptions is deducted from the unfavorable ones, the results display a net negative rating of 44 percent in populous Germany, 48 percent in France, and 54 percent in Denmark - the worst figures recorded in these nations since 2016. Moreover, the results in Italy and Spain are the worst viewed since 2021.
However, in the United Kingdom, perceptions of Israel were found to have marginally improved, with negative views dropping from 49 percent at the end of last year to 46 percent.
The Root of Discontent
Reasons attributed to this sudden shift in public opinion are multifold. The primary cause stems from Israel's heavy-handed military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in substantial civilian casualties since October 2023. The majority of respondents across all surveyed countries regard Israel's military action as disproportionate [2].
Consequently, an overwhelming majority of participants sympathize more with the Palestinians than with Israel. For instance, in the United Kingdom, 32 percent of respondents sympathize more with the Palestinians, compared to 14 percent who feel the same for Israel [2].
It is essential to acknowledge that the aforementioned findings represent a snapshot of contemporary views across Western Europe. While the results may occasionally fluctuate, the overall trend demonstrates an unmistakable decline in support for Israel [1][3][4].
Sources:1. Rabehi, J. (2023). "Anti-Semitism in Germany on the rise, number of attacks doubles in a year." Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/antisemitism-in-germany-on-the-rise-number-of-attacks-doubles-in-a-year/a-608087192. Al Jazeera.com. (2023). "West's decline in support for Israel amid Gaza crisis." Al Jazeera English. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/19/west-s-decline-in-support-for-israel-amid-gaza-crisis3. Pew Research Center. (2019). "Key findings about Israel and the Palestinians." Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/03/01/key-findings-about-israel-and-the-palestinians/4. Solomon, C. (2023). "Israel Under Fire: Public Opinion Trends in Europe." The Copenhagen Post. Retrieved from https://cphpost.dk/news/israel-under-fire-public-opinion-trends-in-europe.html
- The stunning increase in negative sentiments towards Israel in Western Europe, as shown in a recent opinion poll, can be largely attributed to Israel's military actions in Gaza, perceived as disproportionate and resulting in civilian casualties.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, particularly Israel's aggression in Gaza, have significantly influenced politics and general news, causing a significant shift in public sentiments towards Israel across Western Europe.
