Introduction

According to a June 2026 Pew Research Center survey of 44,657 people in 36 countries, international views of Israel have become overwhelmingly negative. Younger people and those on the political left are particularly critical of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In most countries surveyed, unfavorable views of Israel exceed 50 percent, and in some European countries they approach 80 percent.

While Pew did not specifically identify the causes of these attitudes, Israel’s handling of the conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank has almost certainly contributed to the trend.

Main Findings

Pew found that a global median of 67% of respondents held an unfavorable view of Israel, while only 25% expressed a favorable opinion. The survey also found widespread lack of confidence in Netanyahu.

Attitudes have worsened since 2025. Countries including Germany, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States all recorded notable increases in negative perceptions.

Several factors appear to be associated with this trend:

  1. The Gaza conflict and humanitarian concerns. International media coverage has focused heavily on civilian casualties, destruction, displacement, and shortages of humanitarian aid.
  2. Disapproval of Israeli leadership. Majorities in most countries surveyed expressed little confidence in Netanyahu, and negative evaluations of the Israeli government may influence broader attitudes toward Israel.
  3. Generational differences. Younger adults are significantly more likely than older adults to hold unfavorable views. Social media has exposed younger generations to extensive coverage of the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.
  4. Ideological differences. Individuals on the political left tend to be more critical of Israel than those on the right. In the United States, for example, 83% of liberals expressed unfavorable views of Israel compared with 37% of conservatives.
  5. A broad international trend. Even countries that have historically maintained good relations with Israel have experienced rising negative sentiment, suggesting a widespread reassessment of Israel’s policies and actions.

In summary, Pew’s findings indicate that unfavorable views of Israel are now widespread across much of the world, driven by concerns about Gaza, dissatisfaction with Israeli leadership, and significant generational and ideological shifts.

A Different Perspective

In fairness to Israel, some reporting has been one-sided. For months, media outlets warned of mass starvation in Gaza and predicted catastrophic death tolls. While humanitarian conditions have clearly been difficult, the most extreme forecasts have not materialized.

It is also important to recognize that many current problems are rooted not only in Israeli policies but also in decades of Palestinian political failures and missed opportunities.

Former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban famously remarked:

“The Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.”

The West Bank

At the Camp David Summit in July 2000, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak proposed:

  • A Palestinian state in all of Gaza and most of the West Bank.
  • Approximately 92–97% of the West Bank with land swaps.
  • Palestinian control over parts of East Jerusalem.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat rejected the proposal and did not present a counteroffer acceptable to Israel. At that time, many Israelis supported a two-state solution. Today, support for such a solution has declined substantially.

Gaza

Israel completed its withdrawal from Gaza on September 12, 2005. Shortly afterward, Hamas gained political control of the territory.

Rather than focusing primarily on economic development, Hamas built a heavily militarized system, suppressed internal opposition, and devoted substantial resources to weapons and tunnel construction aimed at confronting Israel.

My Concerns About Current Israeli Policy

While I believe Palestinian leadership bears significant responsibility for missed opportunities, I am increasingly critical of certain Israeli policies.

Gaza

Large portions of Gaza are currently inaccessible to much of its population. Confining more than two million people into increasingly restricted areas is both inhumane and counterproductive. Long-term stability requires creating opportunities for economic recovery, reconstruction, and self-sufficiency. Without a viable future, resentment and hostility are likely to deepen.

West Bank

In my view, Israeli policies in the West Bank have become increasingly difficult to defend. Settlement expansion, movement restrictions, checkpoints, and land disputes have contributed to growing tensions. These policies risk creating isolated enclaves that resemble permanent ghettos rather than the foundation for a lasting peace.

History suggests that prolonged grievances rarely disappear. As the biblical phrase warns:

“They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind.”

Regional Conflicts

Israel’s ongoing military involvement in Lebanon and Syria may also prove counterproductive. A greater emphasis on diplomacy and cooperation with local governments could produce better long-term results than reliance on military force alone.

Similarly, it remains unclear whether efforts to weaken Iran will ultimately succeed. Without major political change in Iran, broader regional tensions are likely to persist.

Conclusion

Today, much of the world holds negative views of Israel despite the country’s remarkable achievements. Israel has become a global leader in technology, medicine, agriculture, water management, and innovation. It has also provided valuable expertise and assistance to developing countries around the world.

Unfortunately, these accomplishments have been overshadowed by ongoing conflicts and the humanitarian consequences associated with them. Whether Israel can restore its image as a “light unto the nations” will depend not only on its technological success but also on its ability to achieve a durable and just peace with its neighbors