Support for Israel is collapsing in Western Europe. A new poll shows record low confidence and growing anger over the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
After the ceasefire in Gaza collapsed, Israel announced plans to take control of three-quarters of the Palestinian territory in the coming months. Recently, more and more voices have also warned that what is happening is genocide, and that the Israeli plans aim to completely and permanently empty Gaza of Palestinians – so that they can then take control of the area themselves.
At the same time, a new survey by YouGov EuroTrack shows that support for Israel in Western Europe has fallen to record lows since the ground invasion and bombing of Gaza began.
The survey, which covers the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, shows a sharp decline in public opinion toward Israel. Net favorability – the difference between positive and negative ratings – has reached its lowest level since the survey began:
• Germany: -44
• France: -48
• Denmark: -54
In Italy (-52) and Spain (-55), the figures are also at record lows or shared lowest levels compared with previous surveys. Only 13–21 percent of respondents in any of the countries have a positive view of Israel, while 63–70 percent express a negative opinion.
Few Western Europeans support Israel’s actions
Support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza is weak. Only 6–16 percent of respondents in the six countries believe that “Israel were right to send troops into Gaza and have generally responded in a proportionate way to the Hamas attacks”. This represents a marginal decline compared with the corresponding survey in October last year.
The perception that Israel’s attacks were justified has also weakened:
• France, Germany, Denmark: 24–25 percent still believe that Israel’s actions are justified.
• United Kingdom: 18 percent
• Italy: 9 percent (lowest)
At the same time, only 5–9 percent believe that Hamas’s initial attacks in late 2023 were justified.
Sympathies shift toward Palestine
Support for Israel has declined significantly. Only 7–18 percent today say they sympathize most with the Israeli side—the lowest or joint lowest rating in five of six countries since the Hamas attacks.
In contrast, between 18 and 33 percent sympathize more with the Palestinian side. In otherwise very pro-Israel Germany, support for each side is now almost evenly divided: 17 percent for Israel, 18 percent for Palestine.
Confidence in lasting peace in the Middle East is also low among Europeans. Only 15–29 percent believe that both sides will be able to put their differences aside within the next decade.
The French are the most optimistic, with 29 percent believing in a peaceful solution, while the Danes are the most pessimistic, with only 15 percent. Belief in peace has declined by 4–10 percentage points in all countries.
According to analysts, the survey clearly shows how public opinion in Western Europe has shifted since the Hamas attacks in October 2023.
Criticism of Israel’s abuses and war crimes in Gaza is growing rapidly in many countries, while sympathy for Israel appears to be declining as more and more abuses and cases of gross violence against civilians come to light.
