Public support for Israel in European countries has fallen to its lowest recorded level, according to a recent survey by YouGov.
Fewer than a fifth of respondents in six countries held a favourable view of Israel in a poll carried out last month. The survey was conducted between 12 and 26 May in Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Spain and Italy.
Asked which side they sympathised with in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, 14 percent of Brits said they sided with Israel, while 32 percent sided with Palestinians. Twenty-one percent said both sides equally, and 32 percent were unsure.
I think the idea is that America alienated Europe enough that they have a freer hand to antagonize Israel.
Possibly, I just don see how that has much influence on how Europeans see Israel.
Well, for one, now that the economic pressure to stay on America’s good side in terms of Liberal (i.e. what passes for Liberal nowadays) minutiae has been mostly eliminated, public support of things which would oppose America’s interests has become less taboo.
Also, yes, the joke was that America left Europe’s sphere of influence, and now Europe can speak its mind.
You are confusing the people and official politics.
It’s a lot easier to say things with the government’s (and, perhaps more importantly, oligarchy’s) blessing than without. This doesn’t matter much for the average Joe, but for public figures, politicians and celebrities—who all have an outsized ability to direct national discourse—it’s an important development. What we’re seeing is demands for action against Israel spreading from the left to the political center.
No you are incorrect, in Europe in general governments have been behind the population on this issue for a long time.
I honestly don’t think I am. They are both affected by the same elements, although degrees may vary.
Let’s not forget the at times almost resentful detachment from all things American which has been sweeping Europe (and I’m not criticising it, don’t get me wrong), and an increase in the prevalence of opinions which are in opposition to America is to be expected as well, both in the people and the politics (one feeds the other, always).