International Desk – Approximately 80% of people in Bangladesh hold a negative perception of Israel, with a vast majority expressing zero confidence in its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. This stark reality has been revealed in a recent global survey conducted by the US-based think tank, the Pew Research Center.
The survey, titled “Global Public Opinion on Israel and Netanyahu,” gathered opinions and interviews from 44,657 individuals across 36 countries and territories. The extensive research was conducted earlier this year between February 8 and May 13.
According to the findings, 64% of people in Bangladesh hold a “very negative” view of Israel, while another 15% view the country as “somewhat negative.” Combined, a total of 79% of Bangladeshis view Israel unfavorably.
In contrast, 8% hold a somewhat positive perception, and 4% have a very positive outlook, bringing total positive sentiment to around 12–13%.
Pew Research noted that anti-Israel sentiment is highest among Muslim-majority nations and territories.
This list includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, as well as the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Due to ongoing security concerns, the survey could not be conducted in Gaza.
The survey also revealed that a major portion of the Bangladeshi population lacks confidence in Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to make correct decisions regarding critical global issues.
A similar lack of trust in his leadership was reflected in nations such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Pakistan, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK.
Across all 36 countries and territories surveyed, a median of 67% of adults expressed a negative opinion of Israel, compared to just 25% who held a favorable view. In most countries, distrust in Netanyahu significantly outweighed confidence.
Negative Sentiment Rising in Europe Too
Public opinion regarding Israel is becoming increasingly negative across European nations as well. In Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, nearly half or more of the respondents stated that their view of Israel is “highly negative.”
The percentage of “very negative” opinions saw a significant rise compared to last year in Australia, Italy, Nigeria, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
However, trends vary by region. A relatively positive attitude toward Israel was observed in several Sub-Saharan African nations.
Notably, more than half of the population in Kenya and the Philippines expressed confidence in Netanyahu, making them outliers among the surveyed countries.
According to analysts, the ongoing war in Gaza, protracted Middle East conflicts, and recent military tensions involving Iran have significantly fueled negative public perception toward Israel worldwide.
In Bangladesh’s case, the survey clearly reflects the nation’s long-standing, historic public solidarity with the Palestinian cause.