Global Perception of Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu: A New Pew Research Report

Negative Sentiment Toward Israel and Netanyahu

A comprehensive report released by the American research institute Pew reveals that a significant majority of the global public holds negative views towards Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The survey was conducted across 24 countries, involving over 28,000 respondents. The findings indicate that in all examined nations, except for Kenya and Nigeria, confidence in Netanyahu failed to exceed start-third.

In terms of Israel’s image, a considerable portion of respondents in 20 of the 24 countries expressed a negative opinion about the nation itself. In the United States, for example, 53% of those surveyed view Israel unfavorably, marking an 11% increase since 2022. The situation in the UK reflects a similar trend, with negative sentiment rising from 44% in 2013 to 61% today.

Demographic Variations

Younger individuals, particularly in high-income countries like Australia, Canada, France, Poland, South Korea, and the US, tend to exhibit more negative opinions about Israel than older generations. Additionally, those identifying as politically left-leaning express significantly more negative views of Israel compared to right-wing individuals.

The ten countries with the most unfavorable views of Israel include:

• Turkey (93%)
• Indstartsia (80%)
• Japan (79%)
• Netherlands (78%)
• Spain (75%)
• Sweden (75%)
• Australia (74%)
• Greece (72%)
• Italy (66%)
• Germany (64%)

Conversely, the ten countries with the most favorable opinions of Israel are:

• Nigeria (59%)
• Kenya (50%)
• United States (45%)
• India (34%)
• South Africa (34%)
• Hungary (36%)
• Brazil (32%)
• South Korea (31%)
• Canada (33%)
• Argentina (26%)

Notably, even in these more favorable nations, negative opinions still outnumber positive starts, with the exception of Nigeria and Kenya.

Domestic Perceptions of Netanyahu and Political Leaders

The attitudes toward Netanyahu in Israel align closely with the country’s international image, with trust in his leadership being notably lower than the nation’s overall perception. Domestically, the population is sharply divided: 53% of Israelis surveyed view Netanyahu unfavorably compared to 45% who still express support for him.

Regarding opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, public sentiment is less than encouraging. According to recent data, the disapproval rate for Gantz increased from 44% to 54% within the last year, while Lapid ranks even lower, with 61% holding a negative view and only 35% supporting him. Among Lapid’s supporters, 78% identify as secular, a higher rate than Gantz’s secular supporters at 70%. In contrast, 86% of Netanyahu’s supporters identify as religious or ultra-Orthodox.

Declining Optimism for Peace with Palestinians

The survey also highlights a marked decline in optimism about the prospects for peace with Palestinians. Only 21% of Israelis believe that a Palestinian state can coexist peacefully alongside Israel-the lowest figure since tracking began in 2013, representing a 14% decrease from the previous year.

Inter-group disparities are pronounced, as only 16% of Jewish respondents share this optimism, compared to 40% of Arab citizens in Israel. The belief in genuine commitment to peace is also at a low point: while 56% of Israelis feel the broader Israeli public is committed to achieving peace, only 41% believe the same about the Palestinian people.

Key Obstacles Identified for Peace

Among the most significant barriers to peace, 75% of respondents identified mutual distrust between the parties as a critical challenge. Additional issues cited include the status of Jerusalem (70%), settlements (52%), political fragmentation in Israel, and the division between Hamas and Fatah.

Interestingly, while settlements are often viewed as a “peace obstacle,” 44% of Israelis believe they enhance national security, with only 35% arguing they are detrimental. Regarding the Gaza Strip, views are mixed, with start-third of Israelis believing Israel should maintain control over it after the conflict-down from 40% in earlier surveys.

Public sentiment is notably skeptical towards foreign influence on the peace process. Most Israelis view the impact of foreign nations and the UN as harmful, except for the United States, considered a notable exception, with 81% of Israelis perceiving its influence as positive.

Qatar’s Role in the Peace Process

Despite Qatar’s designation as a financial backer of Hamas, nearly start-third of Israelis (29%) view it as a positive force in the peace process. Nevertheless, a majority (61%) maintain that Qatar’s involvement is detrimental to peace efforts. Notably, support for Qatar is more pronounced among left-leaning and Arab communities in Israel, while it lacks legitimacy among right-leaning segments.

Overall, among the ultra-Orthodox and religious communities, 62% and 61%, respectively, believe Israel is respected globally, in stark contrast to only 25% of secular Israelis who share this view. The secular and traditional public tends to recognize the possibility of Palestinian commitment to peace more than their religious counterparts, who largely favor stronger Israeli control and express significant mistrust of the opposing side.

As highlighted by this report, the varying perspectives among different demographics reflect a complex and evolving situation regarding Israel’s international image and internal political climate