Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Europeans See Israel As Threat To World Peace

November 18, 2003

Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA's Flags of All Countries used with permission.

Abstract: (CPOD) Nov. 18, 2003 - A majority of European residents believe Israel is a danger to global stability, according to the Eurobarometer poll, conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres and EOS Gallup Europe. 59 per cent of respondents in the 15 European Union (EU) countries say Israel presents a threat to world peace.

(CPOD) Nov. 18, 2003 - A majority of European residents believe Israel is a danger to global stability, according to the Eurobarometer poll, conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres and EOS Gallup Europe. 59 per cent of respondents in the 15 European Union (EU) countries say Israel presents a threat to world peace.

Iran and North Korea were next in the list of hazardous nations, with 53 per cent. The United States, Iraq and Afghanistan were the only remaining countries with more than 50 per cent.

As far as the particular views of individual EU members, Israel and North Korea topped the list in 11 nations, while Spaniards and Greeks saw the United States as the biggest threat. Iraq and Iran were regarded as dangerous by the citizens of Luxembourg and Portugal respectively.

The poll was controversial even before its full publication, as partial details became available for world media outlets. Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon visited Italy yesterday, in an effort to address anti-Semitism with counterpart Silvio Berlusconi.

Polling Data

For each of the following countries, tell me if in your opinion, it presents or not a threat to peace in the world?

Israel

59%

Iran

53%

North Korea

53%

United States

53%

Iraq

52%

Afghanistan

50%

--Country Breakdown--
(Top response for each of the EU's 15 countries)

Austria

Israel - 69%

Belgium

Israel - 63%

Denmark

Israel - 64%

Finland

North Korea - 66%

France

North Korea - 65%

Germany

Israel / North Korea - 65%

Greece

United States - 88%

Ireland

Israel - 66%

Italy

North Korea - 57%

Luxembourg

Iraq - 56%

The Netherlands

Israel - 74%

Portugal

Iran - 62%

Spain

United States - 61%

Sweden

North Korea - 70%

United Kingdom

North Korea - 69%


Source: Eurobarometer / Taylor Nelson Sofres / EOS Gallup Europe
Methodology: Interviews to approximately 500 citizens in each of the European Union's 15 member countries, conducted from Oct. 8 to Oct. 16, 2003. Margin of error is 4.4 per cent.