A comprehensive international survey spanning 24 countries has revealed predominantly unfavorable opinions toward Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu worldwide, according to new research from the Pew Research Center conducted this spring.
The study, authored by Laura Silver, demonstrates that negative perceptions of Israel dominate across most surveyed nations, with particularly stark criticism emerging from countries including Australia, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. Meanwhile, Israeli citizens themselves largely acknowledge their nation's diplomatic challenges, with 58% believing Israel receives insufficient respect on the global stage compared to 39% who consider it adequately respected.
https://pewrsr.ch/4jD3bcT
Pew Research Center's extensive polling operation encompassed 28,333 adults across North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific region, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America between January 8 and April 26, 2025. The research organization conducted telephone interviews in Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom, while face-to-face surveys took place in Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa and Turkey.
Uit een onderzoek van het Pew Research Center in 25 landen, waaronder Nederland, blijkt dat de publieke opinie ten opzichte van Israël negatief is, en nog negatiever ten opzichte van de premier. https://t.co/UJ0fCFIdBK pic.twitter.com/Pk8cwzPh9m
— Joop Soesan 🇮🇱🇳🇱 (@JoopSoesan) June 4, 2025
The survey methodology section reveals that fieldwork in most countries occurred after hostilities between Israel and Hamas resumed, though some polling began during a temporary ceasefire period. Australian respondents participated through a mixed-mode probability-based online panel, while US data came from 3,605 adults surveyed March 24-30, 2025, through the Center's American Trends Panel.
International disapproval of Israel reaches substantial majorities in 20 of the 24 countries examined by Pew Research Center. The most severe criticism emerges from Australia, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, where approximately three-quarters or more express unfavorable views toward the Jewish state.
India presents a more divided perspective, with 34% holding favorable opinions against 29% unfavorable, while Kenya and Nigeria stand as notable exceptions where roughly half or more maintain positive views of Israel, according to the Pew Research Center analysis.
Historical comparisons reveal deteriorating international sentiment toward Israel across multiple countries where previous Pew Research Center polling exists. In the US, negative views increased 11 percentage points between March 2022 and March 2025, while seven of ten countries surveyed in both 2013 and 2025 show significant increases in unfavorable opinions.
The United Kingdom exemplifies this trend, with unfavorable views rising from 44% in 2013 to 61% currently, according to Pew Research Center data. Nigeria represents an unusual case where both positive and negative opinions increased since 2013 due to declining "don't know" responses.
Age demographics reveal generational divides in several countries, with younger populations expressing more critical views than older cohorts. High-income nations including Australia, Canada, France, Poland, South Korea and the US demonstrate this pattern most clearly, with the US showing one of the largest age-related gaps in Israel perceptions, Pew Research Center found.
Political ideology significantly influences attitudes toward Israel across numerous surveyed countries. Left-leaning individuals consistently express more negative views than right-leaning counterparts, with Australia showing particularly stark differences – 90% of leftists hold unfavorable opinions compared to 46% of conservatives, the Pew Research Center study indicates.
The US demonstrates one of the most pronounced ideological splits, with 74% of liberals expressing negative views against 30% of conservatives, highlighting deep partisan divisions over Middle East issues within American society.
Confidence in Netanyahu's international leadership capabilities registers at remarkably low levels across most surveyed countries. Outside Kenya and Nigeria, no more than approximately one-third of adults in any country express confidence in the Israeli leader's handling of world affairs, according to Pew Research Center findings.
Particularly severe skepticism toward Netanyahu emerges in Australia, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, where roughly three-quarters or more lack confidence in his international decision-making abilities. Many respondents in these countries express complete absence of confidence in the Israeli prime minister.
Age-related patterns in Netanyahu confidence mirror those for Israel generally, with younger demographics showing less faith in his leadership capabilities. Hungary illustrates this trend, where adults 50 and older express confidence at twice the rate of those aged 18-34 – 40% versus 20% respectively.
Ideological divisions also shape Netanyahu perceptions significantly across multiple countries. France demonstrates typical patterns, with 25% of right-leaning individuals expressing confidence compared to 12% of centrists and merely 8% of left-leaning respondents, the Pew Research Center survey shows.
Israeli self-perception regarding international respect remains largely consistent with previous polling, though with notable shifts in intensity. The proportion believing Israel receives no respect internationally increased from 15% to 24% over the past year, while overall negative perceptions held steady at 58%.
Significant ideological differences persist among Israelis themselves on international respect questions. Right-leaning Israelis express optimism at 49% compared to 24% among leftists, while Israeli Arabs and Israeli Jews show similar levels regarding their country's global standing, consistent with previous Pew Research Center findings.
