International sentiment toward Israel has grown increasingly negative, according to a June 2025 Pew Research Center survey spanning 24 countries. The report finds that majorities in 20 of those countries hold unfavorable views of Israel’s government—views that have hardened in the wake of continued conflict with Hamas and growing concern about Israel’s leadership under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Rising global disapproval of Israel
In countries like Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Turkey, over 75% of the public holds an unfavorable view of Israel. While global attitudes toward Israel have been historically divided, 2025 marks a notable decline even in countries that previously leaned neutral or positive.
- U.S. attitudes have shifted significantly, with negative views rising 11 points since 2022.
- In the United Kingdom, disapproval rose from 44% in 2013 to 61% in 2025.
- Kenya and Nigeria stand out as exceptions, with around half or more of respondents expressing favorable views of Israel.
Netanyahu’s approval hits new lows
The survey reveals broad global skepticism toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s role in international affairs. Outside of Kenya and Nigeria, no country surveyed showed more than one-third support for Netanyahu’s leadership.
Confidence is especially low in:
- France, Germany, Japan, and Australia, where three-quarters or more of respondents report little or no confidence.
- Sweden and Turkey, where majorities say they have no confidence at all in Netanyahu.
These sentiments reflect concerns about Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and his broader foreign policy strategy.
Age and ideology: Key drivers of opinion
The report identifies two major divides in global views of Israel and its leadership:
- Younger adults (under 35) are significantly more likely than older generations to view Israel unfavorably. This generational divide is sharpest in high-income countries such as Canada, France, South Korea, and the United States.
- Left-leaning individuals are also more critical of Israel and Netanyahu than their right-leaning counterparts. In the U.S., 74% of liberals view Israel unfavorably, compared to 30% of conservatives.
These divides suggest that shifting demographics and political realignments may reshape global alliances and foreign policy views regarding the Middle East.
Israelis divided on international respect
Within Israel, public perception is similarly strained. A majority of Israelis—58%—believe their country is not respected internationally, a sentiment that has remained steady but with a growing share (24%) saying Israel is not at all respected.
Political divisions are clear:
- Israelis on the right are twice as likely as those on the left to believe their country is respected abroad.
- Israeli Arabs and Jews report similar views on global respect for Israel.
What’s next?
As geopolitical tensions remain high and international scrutiny of Israel’s actions continues, the country’s global image may face further challenges. Analysts say public opinion could play a growing role in shaping foreign policy, economic relations, and public discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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