Department of Research, Studies and International News 03-06-2025

A recent multinational survey has revealed a dramatic drop in public support for Israel across Western Europe, underscoring growing discontent with Tel Aviv’s ongoing military actions in Gaza. The poll, conducted by the respected YouGov institute, shows a clear downward trend in sympathy for the Israeli state, with favorable perceptions in major European nations falling to historic lows.

The data emerges as the Israeli regime continues its unrelenting campaign in Gaza, which was reignited after a brief ceasefire collapsed in mid-March. Since launching its aggressive assault on October 7, 2023, under the pretext of responding to an attack by Hamas, Israeli forces have unleashed a sustained military onslaught and enforced a crippling blockade that has devastated civilian life and led to famine-like conditions across the already besieged territory.

According to updated figures, over 54,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the latest phase of the conflict, while Israel’s response to the Hamas operation, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and around 250 hostages, has been widely criticized as disproportionate and in violation of international humanitarian standards.

European Public Opinion Shifts Dramatically

The YouGov survey, spanning six major Western European countries, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, paints a clear picture: Israel’s standing among ordinary Europeans has never been worse.

In Germany, France, and Denmark, net favourability scores towards Israel have plummeted to -44, -48, and -54, respectively, the lowest recorded since polling began in 2016. Italy and Spain mirrored this decline, registering -52 and -55. In Britain, the score was -46, slightly above its record low of -49.

These figures reflect a marked shift in public consciousness. Only 13% to 21% of respondents across these nations expressed a positive view of Israel, while a dominant 63% to 70% now view the state unfavorably. This signals a profound erosion of support, even in traditionally pro-Israel political environments.

Support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza has also seen a drastic drop. In Italy, a mere 6% of respondents agreed that Israel’s invasion and military conduct were proportionate. Even in France, the most “supportive” country on the list, only 16% believed Israel acted reasonably. The UK figure stood at 12%.

Meanwhile, a much larger proportion of respondents, ranging from 29% to 40%, believe Israel may have had a right to respond but has gone too far, particularly given the alarming number of civilian deaths. An even more significant portion, between 12% and 24%, opposed any military intervention by Israel in Gaza.

Growing Sympathy for the Palestinian Cause

In a telling shift, the survey indicates that sympathy for the Palestinian people is rising steadily in Western Europe. The number of respondents expressing support for the Palestinian side has climbed across all six countries, with figures ranging from 18% to 33%, a notable increase since 2023. By comparison, support for Israel has dwindled to 7% to 18%, with five of the six countries recording their lowest levels ever.

In Germany, a nation historically aligned with Israeli interests, sentiment is now nearly evenly split: 17% sympathize with Israel, while 18% align with the Palestinian perspective.

Interestingly, support for the Hamas attacks of October 2023 remains very low across Europe, with between 5% and 9% of respondents viewing the assault as justified. However, the fact that even these small numbers have increased slightly in countries like the UK and Italy suggests that frustration with Israeli aggression may be influencing broader attitudes.

This waning support for Israel is not confined to Europe. Data from the Pew Research Center in April 2025 revealed that 53% of Americans now hold an unfavorable opinion of Israel, up from 42% in 2022. Moreover, a Data for Progress survey conducted in the U.S. showed that a majority of voters, including some conservative segments, oppose sending more Israeli troops into Gaza and favor a ceasefire.

Even former U.S. President Donald Trump, typically viewed as an ardent backer of Israel, is facing pressure from his own base: 51% of his supporters now believe he should demand that Israel agree to a ceasefire rather than continue military escalation.

The possibility of long-term peace in the Middle East remains elusive. While 29% of French respondents still hold out hope that a peaceful resolution could be achieved within a decade, that number drops significantly across the board, as low as 15% in Denmark. Across all six nations polled, confidence in the feasibility of peace has declined by up to 10 percentage points since late 2023.

A New Global Alignment?

The European public’s disillusionment with Israeli policies reflects a broader global awakening. As China, Russia, and Pakistan consistently call for restraint, adherence to international law, and a balanced approach to conflict resolution, the West’s traditional narrative is being challenged, not only by governments, but increasingly by their own people.

These shifts in public opinion may mark the beginning of a more equitable international discourse, where emerging powers and principled resistance can reshape the dialogue around justice and peace in the Middle East.