Nearly 60% of Germans perceive Israel as "foreign": Survey

GENEVA

Fifty-nine percent of Germans agree with the phrase, "Israel is foreign to me," according to a poll by the German Forsa Institute on behalf of the Welt newspaper on Wednesday.

Among Germans between 30 and 44 years of age, as much as 70% feel Israel is foreign, the newspaper reported.

The survey concluded that 57% of Germans think Israel pursues "its interests without regard for other peoples."

Welt said it is an increase compared to October when 51% held the view.

Only 35% of respondents agree with the statement: "Israel respects human rights." The newspaper said the figure was 37% in October.

Just 9% think Israel "has no right to exist in the Middle East," compared to 6% in October.

Germans are divided on the question of whether "Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip is all in all appropriate."

Forty-five percent said "yes,” while 43% consider it to be "excessive," said Welt, citing the survey.

Immediately after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, 44% of Germans said Germany has "a special obligation towards Israel." In December, the figure was down to 37%.

Welt reports a survey conducted by the University of Leipzig at the end of May to the end of July, showed a particularly critical attitude toward Israel in Berlin.

Twenty-seven percent of Berliners consider the founding of Israel to be a "bad idea." Fifteen percent agree with the statement: "Even today, the influence of the Jews is still too great."

And 13% of Berliners are convinced that Jews are responsible for "most wars and conflicts in the world."