UK Polls
Nournews: A survey by Focaldata and UnHerd in the UK reveals that 54% of young people aged 18–24 believe Israel should not exist, and 50% hold the Israeli government mainly responsible for the Gaza war. Moreover, this group’s interest in the Gaza conflict (38% “very interested”) is more than double their interest in the Ukraine war (19%).
United States: Partisan divide and declining popularity
According to Harvard University findings, 51% of Americans aged 18–24 believe the ultimate solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is the dissolution of Israel and its handover to Hamas. Sixty percent of this group view the October 7 attack as “justifiable” given Palestinian grievances, and the same percentage believe Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza. Sixty-seven percent identify Jews as “oppressors.”
A Gallup poll shows that, for the first time, 60% of Democrats hold a negative view of Israel, while 83% of Republicans still support it. Overall favorability toward Israel among Americans has dropped to its lowest point since 2000, with 41% holding negative views. Pew Research also reports that 53% of American adults now view Israel negatively—an 11% rise over the past three years. Trust in Prime Minister Netanyahu stands at only 32%, and just 46% of Americans believe a two-state solution is feasible. This widening partisan gap is expected to reshape Washington–Tel Aviv relations in the coming years.
Europe: Decline in public support
A YouGov poll across six European countries (UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, and Spain) shows that support for Israel has dropped to historic lows. Between 63% and 70% of respondents hold negative views, while only 13% to 21% express positive opinions. Most Europeans believe Israel’s military actions in Gaza are disproportionate. In Germany, a ZDF state TV survey found that 80% consider Israel’s operations in Gaza unjustified due to civilian casualties, while only 12% deemed them “appropriate.”
Europe and sanctions against Israel
A YouGov poll commissioned by the Palestinian Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD) in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden found that at least half of respondents favor banning arms sales to Israel. A large share also agrees with accusations of “genocide against Palestinians,” and most believe their national media are biased in Israel’s favor.
Global image and low trust in Netanyahu
According to Pew Research surveys in 24 countries, majorities in 20 hold negative views of Israel. Trust in Netanyahu is extremely low worldwide, and even inside Israel, 58% of citizens believe their country is not respected internationally. Generational and ideological divides are clear, with younger and more moderate populations leaning toward critical perspectives.
Strategic implications
Short-term: Growing public pressure on Western governments to reconsider unconditional support for Israel.
Medium-term: Generational and partisan divides in the US and Europe may reshape domestic and foreign policies toward Israel.
Long-term: Israel’s moral legitimacy in the international system is eroding, potentially altering the rules of engagement in the Middle East and future diplomatic interactions.
It is now clear that Israel faces a profound legitimacy crisis at both social and international levels. From British and American youth to the majority of Europeans and even Israeli citizens themselves, public opinion has shifted to the point where not only Israel’s military actions, but also its very existence, are increasingly called into question.
NOURNEWS