Israel’s ‘Victim’ Scam: How Gaza Blew Up 75 Years of Zionist Propaganda

Israel’s standing in global public opinion has experienced a dramatic decline in recent years, as revealed by a series of international surveys conducted by reputable organizations such as the Pew Research Center, Gallup, and YouGov. These surveys, carried out in 2024 and 2025, show a sharp erosion of Israel’s social capital—particularly in Western countries, where public opinion has grown increasingly critical due to the ongoing war in Gaza

Sharp Decline of Israel’s Social Capital in the West


Recent data from leading polling institutions reveal a significant drop in Israel’s popularity across Western nations. A Pew Research Center survey conducted from January to April 2025 across 24 countries found that in 20 of them, at least 50% of respondents expressed unfavorable views of Israel. Countries such as Australia, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey reported over 75% negative perceptions.

In the United States, Pew’s April 2025 poll found that 53% of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Israel—up from 42% in March 2022. Similarly, a YouGov survey reported by The Guardian in June 2025 showed that public support for Israel in Western Europe has reached an all-time low, with net favorability scores of -44 in Germany, -48 in France, -52 in Italy, -54 in Denmark, and -55 in Spain.

A TIME Magazine article from January 2024 also noted that favorable views of Israel declined in 42 out of 43 surveyed countries since the Gaza war began. These findings indicate that Israel’s actions in Gaza—especially since October 7, 2023—have severely damaged its international reputation, with many labeling its conduct as “genocide.”


A Radical Generational Shift in Western Views


Younger generations, particularly those aged 18–24, are increasingly critical of the Israeli regime, often questioning its legitimacy and showing strong support for Palestinian rights. Pew’s April 2025 survey found that younger Americans are significantly more likely to hold critical views of Israel compared to older generations, with the U.S. exhibiting the largest age gap among the surveyed countries.


In Europe, YouGov found that younger respondents in France, Germany, and the UK were more likely to view Israel’s military actions in Gaza as excessive. In Denmark, only 15% of young respondents expected peace in the region within the next 10 years; in France, that number stood at 29%.


A Gallup survey from July 2025 showed that only 32% of Americans approve of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, reflecting broader disillusionment among younger populations. This generational shift has ushered in harsher rhetoric toward the regime, with terms such as “oppressive” and “morally illegitimate” frequently used by youth in the U.S. and the UK.

Unprecedented Partisan Divide in the United States

The United States has witnessed a growing partisan divide in attitudes toward Israel, with significant implications for future foreign policy. According to Pew’s April 2025 survey, 69% of Democrats now view Israel unfavorably—up from 53% in 2022—compared to 37% of Republicans, up from 27% in 2022.


Trust in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also deeply polarized: only 15% of Democrats say they trust him, versus 51% of Republicans. A separate Gallup poll in July 2025 further highlighted this divide, showing that 71% of Republicans support Israel’s actions in Gaza, compared to just 8% of Democrats.


This polarization also extends to views on the two-state solution: 56% of Democrats believe it is still viable, versus only 36% of Republicans. As Democratic voters increasingly question Israel’s role as a strategic ally, this divide could reshape U.S. foreign policy in the coming years.

Global Distrust in Netanyahu and the Israeli Government

Distrust in Israeli leadership—particularly Netanyahu—is widespread. Pew’s June 2025 survey found that in all but two countries (Kenya and Nigeria), fewer than 33% of respondents expressed confidence in Netanyahu. In countries like Australia, France, Germany, and Sweden, at least 75% reported little or no trust in him.


In the United States, a July 2025 Gallup poll revealed that more than half of American adults disapprove of Netanyahu—a record high. Within Israel itself, 58% of citizens believe their country lacks international respect, with those saying it has “no respect at all” rising from 15% to 24% over the past year.

This distrust extends to the broader Israeli government, which is increasingly seen as an isolated and illegitimate actor on the global stage.

Growing Global Support for Sanctions and Containment


Public support for actions aimed at sanctioning or containing Israel is rising—especially in Europe. A poll by the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD) in April 2024 found that at least half of respondents in Belgium (62%), France (51%), Germany (49%), Italy (65%), and Sweden (50%) support banning arms trade with Israel.


Furthermore, a substantial portion of these populations believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—49% in Italy and 46% in Sweden share this view. YouGov’s June 2025 survey found that many in Western Europe consider Israel’s military actions excessive, with 40% in Germany and 38% in the UK saying Israel has gone too far.

Many Europeans also accuse their governments and media of bias in favor of Israel, demanding a narrative shift that better reflects Palestinian perspectives.

The Rise of the Palestinian Victimhood Narrative


The narrative of Palestinian victimhood has gained significant traction—especially in Europe and among younger generations. PIPD’s data show that a considerable segment of Europeans believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians—43% in Belgium and 34% in France agree with this claim.


Sympathy for Palestinians is also on the rise. YouGov found that 33% of Italians sympathize with Palestine, compared to just 7% with Israel. TIME magazine reported that favorability toward Palestinian territories has reached a record high of 32%, while Israel’s popularity has plummeted.

This discourse has moved from the margins into mainstream academic and media spaces, prompting increasing demands for accountability and justice for Israel’s documented violations.

Conclusion: A Global Reckoning for Israel


The global decline in Israel’s public image, as reflected in recent international polls, stems from a complex interaction of factors—widespread criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, generational shifts in moral perception, political polarization in the U.S., distrust in Israeli leadership, and growing support for containment measures.


The rising narrative of Palestinian oppression has only amplified these trends, challenging Israel’s traditional framing as a victim or a self-defending state. As public opinion continues to evolve, Israel faces formidable challenges navigating an increasingly critical global landscape—one that could reshape its foreign relations and geopolitical standing in the years to come.

*Translated by Ashraf Hemmati from the original Persian article written by Mohammad Mahdi Esmaeil Khanian