Pew poll: Negative views of Israel rise worldwide, trust in Netanyahu drops

A Pew Research Center survey conducted from Feb. 8 to May 13 across 36 countries found that majorities in most of the countries surveyed hold an unfavorable view of Israel, and that confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is low.

The survey period included the aftermath of a joint Israeli-U.S. strike against Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in a war that lasted until a temporary ceasefire deal was reached in early April. Pew noted that most interviews were conducted after the start of the war.

The poll results showed that across the 36 countries polled, 67% of respondents had a negative view of Israel.

The study included Muslim-majority countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey, as well as Palestinian residents of Judea and Samaria and eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Among these populations, Israel was viewed particularly negatively. In several European countries, including Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, majorities also expressed unfavorable views of Israel. Views of Israel are somewhat positive among respondents in sub-Saharan African countries.

Further breaking down the results, the poll showed that in North America and Europe, respondents aged 18–34 are generally more negative toward Israel than older age groups in those countries.

Those on the political left are also more likely than those on the political right to hold a negative view of Israel. In some European countries, including Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, as well as in Australia, as many as nine in ten respondents who identify with the political left report an unfavorable view of Israel.

The picture is even less favorable when it comes to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Clear majorities in nearly every country surveyed – except Kenya and the Philippines – said they had little or no confidence in Netanyahu to “do the right thing regarding world affairs.” According to Pew, this includes more than half of adults in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the West Bank and East Jerusalem who said they have no confidence at all.

Overall, the survey found that perceptions have worsened since similar polling a year earlier, with double-digit increases in the share of respondents expressing unfavorable views of both Israel and Netanyahu in several countries.

The United States shows a similar trend. The latest Pew survey of American adults revealed that 60% now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53% in 2025. In addition, 59% say they have little or no confidence in Netanyahu to do the right thing regarding world affairs, up from 52% last year.