79pc people in Bangladesh view Israel negatively: Study

FE ONLINE DESK

A majority of people across 36 countries hold negative views toward Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to new research conducted by a US-based think tank.

An average of 67 per cent of adults across the 36 nations surveyed hold an unfavourable or negative view about Israel, compared to a mere 25 per cent who view the country positively.

The Pew Research Center conducted the study from February 8 to May 13 this year. Most of the survey interviews were logged right after the joint military operations by the United States and Israel in Iran on February 28, according to a statement.

People in Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Palestine, notably hold a negative perception about Israel.

The study report finds 79 per cent of people in Bangladesh view Israel negatively. India registered the lowest anti-Israel sentiment among all surveyed nations, with only 28 per cent of Indian respondents holding unfavourable perceptions about Israel.

It says 97 per cent people in Turkey, 95 per cent people in Pakistan, 89 per cent people in Malaysia, 86 per cent people Indonesia, 85 per cent people in Palestine, 79 per cent people in Australia, 60 per cent people in US and 69 per cent in UK hold negative views about Israel.

Meanwhile, 90 per cent of people in Bangladesh expressed no confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 95 per cent of people in Turkey, 92 per cent in Pakistan, 91 per cent in Malaysia, 88 per cent in Palestine, 74 per cent in the UK and 65 per cent in the US lack confidence in Netanyahu.