Sharp decline in international perception of 'Israel', Netanyahu: Poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: New websites
5 Jun 2025 08:33
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A survey spanning 24 countries reveals a growing negative perception of "Israel" and its prime minister, with unfavorable views rising significantly in the US and UK.

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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators hold up placards, banners, and flags at a protest outside the Houses of Parliament during Keir Starmer's Prime Minister's Questions in London, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

A new global survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre reveals a growing negative perception of "Israel" and its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, across multiple countries.

The survey, which included more than 28,000 respondents across 24 nations, reflects a broad international shift in public opinion toward the Israeli occupation entity.

The findings indicate that in 20 of the surveyed countries, a majority of respondents held an unfavorable view of "Israel".

Netanyahu faces low approval ratings worldwide

According to the survey, Netanyahu failed to secure the support of more than one-third of respondents in nearly all participating countries.

The only exceptions were Kenya and Nigeria, where support for the Israeli premier remained comparatively higher.

The data underscore Netanyahu's declining approval rating on the international stage, suggesting diminishing confidence in his leadership outside of select regions.

Rising negative views in US and UK

The survey highlights a marked rise in negative sentiment toward "Israel" in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

In the US, 53% of respondents reported an unfavorable view of "Israel", an increase of 11 percentage points since 2022.

In the UK, unfavorable views have grown even more sharply. The percentage of respondents expressing disapproval rose from 44% in 2013 to 61% in the latest survey, reflecting a long-term trend of declining support.

This comes as "Israel" continues its war on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 54,600 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave.

62% of people in the UK support sanctions on 'Israel'

Also in the UK, a recent poll conducted by Yonder Consulting for Global Justice Now showed strong public support for taking tougher actions against "Israel". The survey, involving 2,109 adults between May 28–29, revealed that:

62% support imposing sanctions on "Israel" to pressure it to end attacks on Gaza vs. 11% opposed
65% favor a ban on arms sales to "Israel" until the assault ends vs. only 11% opposed
60% back suspending the UK-"Israel" trade deal vs. 13% opposed

In Scotland, support for these measures was even stronger, with 66% in favor of sanctions and an arms sales embargo, and 61% backing suspension of the trade agreement.

Global Justice Now calls for sanctions

Global Justice Now called on the UK Government to impose sanctions, arguing that it has "a duty to prevent genocide."

Tim Bierley, a campaigner with Global Justice Now, said, “As Israel erases Gaza before our eyes, today’s polling makes clear that across all regions, age and income groups, the British public wants our government to take far stronger action against Israel’s genocidal attacks."

“Just as the UK has placed comprehensive sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it must urgently exert meaningful pressure on Israel," he added.

“Despite issuing stronger rebukes in recent weeks, the government continues to license key exports for arms used to massacre Palestinians and offer Israel privileged trade terms, as if war crimes should have no effect on business-as-usual."

“Under international law, the UK has a duty to prevent genocide – and any MPs who ignore public sentiment would do well to remember their duty to represent the voice of ordinary people," he concluded.

European public support for 'Israel' reaches record low: YouGov

The latest findings come shortly after a YouGov survey revealed that public support and sympathy for "Israel" in Western Europe has reached its lowest level since the pollster began recording such data.

The survey revealed that net favorability toward "Israel" in Germany (-44), France (-48), and Denmark (-54) had dropped to its lowest level since polling on the issue began in 2016, while in Italy (-52) and Spain (-55), it had also reached its lowest or joint lowest point, though data for these countries was only available from 2021. In the UK, net favorability toward "Israel" stood at -46, slightly above the record low of -49 recorded late.

Similarly, across all six surveyed countries, only a small minority ranging from 6% in Italy to 16% in France, agreed with the statement that "Israel" was "right to send troops into Gaza and has generally responded in a proportionate way to the Hamas attacks," marking a decline compared to an earlier poll conducted last October, while in the UK, the figure stood at 12%.

On the other hand, between 29% of respondents in Italy and 40% in Germany agreed with the view that "Israel" was "right to send troops into Gaza, but has gone too far and caused too many civilian casualties," while the UK figure stood at 38%.

Meanwhile, 12% in Germany, 24% in Italy, and 15% in the UK believed that "Israel" should not have launched military action in Gaza at all.

The survey revealed that favorable opinions of "Israel" were held by just 13% to 21% of respondents across the polled nations, while unfavorable views dominated at 63% to 70%.