New poll shows most French feel least friendly toward Israel

A total of 1,005 French adults responded to the poll conducted by Ifop Institute via phone on July 1-3, 2012.

The results were made public on July 11, 2012.

They were asked “Which one of the following you feel friendlier toward: Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Austria, Turkey and Israel?”

The results showed that 25 percent of the respondents put Spain on top of their favorites list with Israel at the bottom chosen only by one percent.

The findings prove that the French feel most friendly toward their immediate neighbors like Spain, Germany, Italy and Belgium while demonstrating the least friendly feelings for Israel and Turkey.

Analysts say negative attitudes to Israel and Turkey are perhaps a result of historical resentment with Jews and Israel’s expansionist policies as well as religious identity of Turkish people.