Public Opinion of Israel Plummets Across Western Europe
Surveys reveal a sharp decline in support amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Western European sentiment toward Israel has reached historic lows, polls reveal, coinciding with the escalation of the Gaza conflict. With ceasefire negotiations ongoing, dwindling favorability signals a significant shift in public perception across several nations.
Deteriorating Public Sentiment
A recent YouGov poll indicates less than a fifth of respondents in six European countries now hold a favorable view of Israel. In Germany, France, and Denmark, net favorability has dropped to its lowest recorded levels since 2016. Similarly, Italy and Spain are experiencing their lowest or joint-lowest ratings since 2021. Even in the UK, the net favorability remains markedly negative.
In the UK, only 6% of those surveyed said they thought the Hamas attack of 7 October was justified.
— World Today News (@worldtodaynews) June 1, 2025
“Overall, only between 13% and 21% of respondents in any country polled had a favourable view of Israel, compared with 63%-70% whose views were unfavourable.”
— YouGov Poll
A recent poll shows a marked increase in disapproval; only 12% of people in the UK agreed that Israel was right to send troops into Gaza (Pew Research Center 2025).
The Gaza Conflict’s Impact
The survey data also highlights the impact of the ongoing military operations in Gaza. The number of Europeans seeing Israel’s actions as justified has declined. Only about a quarter of respondents in France, Germany, and Denmark, along with less than a fifth in Britain and a mere 9% in Italy, believe the operations are warranted.
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In contrast, sympathy for the Palestinian side has increased across all six countries since 2023. The polling further revealed that the belief in a lasting peace in the Middle East is dwindling. Optimism, even in the most hopeful countries, is low, and expectations have decreased by several percentage points since late 2023.
