Israelis feel more Middle Eastern as views of Europe sour, study finds

A Hebrew University survey reveals that three years after the October 7 attacks, Jewish Israelis increasingly identify as Middle Eastern rather than European, feel safer in Israel than in Europe, and view the EU with growing skepticism. The 2026 Barometer also shows declining concern about Germany's AfD, driven largely by Arab Israeli respondents.

A new Hebrew University survey, the 2026 European Forum Barometer, reveals a profound shift in Israeli identity and perceptions of Europe three years after the October 7 Hamas-led massacres. Among Jewish Israelis, 42% now describe Israel as more Middle Eastern than European, up significantly from previous surveys. A striking 69% of Israelis predict the situation of Jews in Europe will worsen, and a majority view Israel as safer for Jews than any European country. Israeli skepticism toward the European Union has grown since 2024, with more respondents disagreeing that the EU is a success. The survey also tracks changing attitudes toward Europe's far right: concern about Germany's AfD declined from 55% in 2024 to 47% in 2026, a shift driven almost entirely by Arab Israeli respondents, who now make up about 20% of Israel's population. Germany and Hungary are ranked as Israel's closest European friends, while France and Spain are perceived as most antisemitic. The Netherlands has fallen sharply in Israeli perceptions. The survey, led by Prof. Gisela Dachs, included 1,003 Israeli respondents and 4,000 across four European countries, with fieldwork conducted in May-July 2026.