Australia's affinity for the Commonwealth has long been a defining aspect of its international relations, yet a recent survey suggests that beneath this façade lies a complex web of opinions on key global players. A new poll by the Guardian Essential reveals that Australians hold an increasingly negative view of Israel, with only 19% expressing a favourable opinion – a finding that starkly contrasts with the country's traditional status as an ally and partner.
Notably, this sentiment diverges sharply across demographics. Women, in particular, were found to be significantly less enamoured with Israel, with just 14% registering a positive view. Similarly, individuals aged between 35 and 54 showed the least favourability towards the country, with only 18% expressing a favourable opinion. These findings place Australia alongside nations like Iran (57%) and Russia (57%), which garnered similarly high levels of negative perception in the poll.
The survey also shed light on shifting attitudes towards Donald Trump, revealing a further decline in his favourability among Australians since his re-election. Only 28% of respondents expressed a positive or very positive view of the US president, marking a near-historic low for his popularity in Australia – narrowly surpassing his previous low of 21% in November 2020.
When examining overall international favourability, the United Kingdom emerged as the most positively viewed nation, with an impressive 53% of Australians expressing a positive or very positive reaction. European nations followed closely, securing 47% favourability, while Ukraine secured 41%. The stark contrast between these results and the US's relatively low rating – just 29% – underscores the intricate landscape of international perceptions among the Australian public.
The poll's findings arrive amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between the Australian government and Israel. Criticisms regarding alleged abuses by Israeli forces, military actions in Lebanon, and the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza following an IDF strike have raised questions about the country's reputation on the global stage.
For the UK, these results take on significance given its close diplomatic ties with both Australia and Israel. As a fellow Commonwealth nation, shifts in public opinion within allied countries like Australia can signal broader trends in global sentiment, potentially influencing diplomatic strategies and public discourse in Britain.