Australians now view Israel more unfavorably than China, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll. Data released from the survey of 1,017 people shows that only 19% of respondents hold a positive view of Israel, compared to 24% for China, while favourability toward Donald Trump has dropped to 28% following his re-election.
Why are Australian attitudes toward Israel shifting?
The Guardian Essential poll indicates that 46% of respondents expressing a negative or very negative attitude toward Israel. This shift occurs against a backdrop of ongoing diplomatic friction between the Albanese government and Israel. Canberra has publicly criticized Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom during an IDF strike on a convoy.
Demographically, the data reveals a divide in perception. Only 14% of women surveyed reported a positive view of Israel. Among age groups, those aged 35 to 54 were the least favourable towards Israel, with only 18% reporting a positive sentiment, compared to 19% of those aged 18 to 34 and 21% of those aged 55 and over.
How has the perception of Donald Trump changed?
Australian favourability toward Donald Trump has seen a notable decline since he retook office. The poll found that 28% of voters now view the US president positively, a decrease from the 36% recorded in June 2024. This figure remains well above the low of 21% recorded in November 2020.
The data highlights a significant gender and political divide regarding the US president:
- Gender: 37% of men view Trump positively, compared to just 20% of women.
- Political Affiliation: Support is highest among One Nation voters (45%), followed by Coalition voters (34%) and Labor voters (24%).
- Age: Voters aged 35 to 54 hold the most positive view (33%), followed by those aged 18 to 34 (31%) and those over 55 (23%).
Which nations are viewed most favourably by Australians?
The United Kingdom remains the most popular country in the poll. According to the findings, 53% of voters hold a positive or very positive view of the UK. European nations follow with a 47% favourability rating, while Ukraine rounds out the top three at 41%.
The poll, conducted last week, measured attitudes across a range of countries, including the US, China, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, the UK, Palestine, and Israel. The questions did not exactly reflect those put in previous surveys, so it is unclear to what extent attitudes to all the countries have changed over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country currently has the lowest favourability rating in Australia?
According to the Guardian Essential poll, Iran holds the lowest favourability rating at 11%, followed closely by Russia at 13% and Syria at 15%.
How does the favourability of the US compare to other nations?
Only 29% of Australians view the US favourably. This is significantly lower than the UK (53%) and European nations (47%), though higher than the ratings for China (24%), Palestine (21%), and Israel (19%).
Are these results consistent with previous years?
The poll organizers noted that the questions used in this survey did not exactly mirror those from previous years, making it unclear to what extent these attitudes have evolved over time.
What do you think is driving these shifts in international perception? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Australian political and social trends.
