An overall high level of subjective knowledge and positive image of the EU amongst Israeli respondents overall which has increased since the last survey, which significantly varies amongst the different religious communities.

The Jewish population feels more knowledgeable and positive about the EU which they appreciate mainly for its trade relations with Israel, but are critical about its support to the Palestinian authorities.

The Muslim population feels less knowledgeable and positive about the EU which they appreciate mainly for its democratic values, but are critical about its role on the Middle East peace process.

There has been an overall increase in the general level of knowledge amongst most of the Israeli population, with almost 6 in 10 who now feel knowledgeable about the EU (+ 4 ppt since 2021).

The proportion who say they don’t know much about the EU has remained stable at 44% cf. 45% in 2021.

There is a much higher level of claimed knowledge amongst the Jewish population compared to the Muslim one: 49% versus 35% say they know what the EU is all about.

There is also clear correlation between knowledge and positive sentiment towards the EU. Those with a positive image of the EU tend to feel more knowledgeable also.

The high level of subjective knowledge is confirmed by the factual questions given all respondents answered correctly at least one questions asked, with an average of 3.6 correct answers out of six.

Half of Israeli respondents have a positive image of the EU, a proportion that increased by + 5 ppt at the opposite of the ones who hold a negative one and which dropped by – 3 ppt (15%).

The most notable sociodemographic differences in sentiment towards the EU can be seen in the religious affiliation. Indeed, the Jewish are significantly more likely to be positive than Muslim (36% cf. 24%), whereas 29% Muslims express a negative view compared to only 8% of the Jewish population.

The main reason mentioned by over a third of those who felt the EU had a positive image was because the EU is seen as an important trade partner for Israel, followed by its perceived democratic values (21%).

The Jewish population is much more likely to attribute this positive image to the perception that the EU is an important trade partner (38% cf. 10% of Muslims) while the Muslim population is much more likely to associate it with democratic values (29% cf.19%), high social standards (20% cf. 11%) and the EU’s position in the Middle East peace process (20% cf. 6%) as reasons for its positive image.

The main reason amongst those who believe that the EU has a negative image is EU support provided to Palestinian authorities (31%), with 27% citing the EU’s role in the Middle East peace process.

These opinions are very much sensitive to religious affiliation. While the Jewish population is much more negative about EU support for Palestine (33% cf. 21%), the main reason for over half of those Muslims who describe the EU as having a negative image is its role in the peace process (57% cf. 18%).

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Opinion Poll Israel 2022 (Summary of findings)
Opinion Poll Israel 2022 (Full report)