Middle East Eye
centerREPORTNegative views of Israel soar across 36 countries since Iran war, survey finds

Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/05/2026 - 19:55 Pew found a marked increase in unfavourable views of Israel, with nearly every country surveyed hosting majorities with negative views A person holds a placard with a photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the writing "Genocidal" during a protest against the detention and treatment by Israel of activists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, in Milan, northern Italy, on 21 May 2026 (Piero Cruciatti/AFP) Off Negative views o
Full BriefGenerated 18d ago
What Happened
A Pew Research Center survey of 36 countries found a marked increase in unfavourable views of Israel since the onset of the Iran war, with nearly every country surveyed now hosting majorities holding negative views of Israel. The survey, conducted across diverse regions, indicates a significant deterioration in Israel's global standing compared to pre-war polling data. Specific percentage shifts and country-by-country breakdowns were not detailed in the available excerpt, but the trend is described as universal across the sample, suggesting broad international disapproval linked to the conflict with Iran and associated military actions.
Key Actors
- ·Pew Research Center(Independent polling and research organisation)Conducted the 36-country survey documenting the rise in negative views of Israel since the Iran war began.
- ·Israel(State actor and subject of the survey)Faces near-universal majority disapproval across the surveyed countries, reflecting a sharp decline in global perception tied to the Iran conflict.
- ·Iran(State actor and conflict party)The war with Iran is identified as the temporal marker for the shift in international opinion against Israel.
Why It Matters
The survey documents a significant erosion of Israel's international legitimacy at a time when it is engaged in a multi-front conflict, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts to secure arms transfers, coalition support, or sanctions relief. Broad-based public disapproval in allied and neutral states may constrain governments' willingness to provide overt political or military backing, particularly in democracies where public opinion influences foreign policy. The timing—amid the Iran war—suggests that specific military actions, casualty figures, or humanitarian impacts associated with that conflict have catalysed a global reassessment of Israel's conduct, with potential long-term consequences for its strategic partnerships and regional isolation.
Watch For
Monitor whether the polling data prompts policy shifts in key allied capitals, particularly Washington, Berlin, or London, where public pressure may influence arms export licenses or UN voting patterns. Watch for Israeli government responses, including public diplomacy campaigns or shifts in military strategy aimed at mitigating reputational damage. Track whether the survey results are cited in upcoming UN General Assembly resolutions, ICC proceedings, or sanctions debates, as they may provide empirical backing for diplomatic isolation efforts. Any follow-up Pew surveys or regional breakdowns will clarify whether the trend is stabilising or accelerating.
Generated 18d ago · Based on full articleAuto-Compiled
This page aggregates and summarizes reporting from Middle East Eye. The Conflict Pulse does not author original reporting. Read the original source for full coverage.
CONFLICT OVERVIEW
Israel–Palestine
Latest verified updates on Gaza, the West Bank, Israeli military operations, Palestinian politics, humanitarian conditions, and international diplomacy.
Active since May 1948
SOURCE PERSPECTIVES
How outlets across the bias spectrum are covering this conflict.
LATEST FROM ISRAEL–PALESTINE




