Top Countries with the Highest Negative Views of Israel

The Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey by the Pew Research Center reveals widespread negative perceptions of Israel across many parts of Asia and the Muslim world. Conducted in 36 countries between February and May 2026, the survey found that unfavorable views of Israel significantly outweigh favorable opinions in most nations surveyed.

Among the countries included in the survey, Pakistan recorded the highest level of unfavorable views toward Israel at 95. This overwhelming figure reflects a longstanding trend of public skepticism toward Israel in Pakistan, where diplomatic relations between the two countries do not exist.

Malaysia ranked second with score 89, followed closely by Indonesia at 86. Both Southeast Asian nations have historically expressed strong support for the Palestinian cause, which continues to shape public opinion toward Israel.

Japan emerged as an unexpected entry among the countries with the most negative perceptions, with 83. Australia and Bangladesh followed at 79, indicating that negative attitudes toward Israel extend beyond Muslim-majority countries and into established Western democracies.

Singapore scored 72, while South Korea stood at 70. The Philippines and Thailand registered lower but still majority-negative opinions at 64 and 59, respectively. These results suggest that skepticism toward Israel has become increasingly widespread across East and Southeast Asia.

Further down the list, Sri Lanka reported 41 score unfavorable views, making public opinion more divided than in neighboring countries.

India stood out as a significant exception, with only 28 score. This was the lowest figure among the countries listed and reflects the growing strategic, economic, and diplomatic ties between India and Israel in recent decades.

Overall, the survey highlights a substantial gap in perceptions of Israel across Asia. While negative views dominate in most countries, the intensity varies considerably. Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia represent the strongest concentrations of unfavorable sentiment, whereas India demonstrates a markedly different outlook.

The findings underscore how historical relationships, foreign policy priorities, religious affiliations, and contemporary geopolitical developments continue to influence public attitudes toward Israel around the world.