Representative “Stern” survey
Majority of Germans support harsher criticism of Israel
April 9, 2024, 7:59 a.m
International pressure is growing on Israel to change its military approach in the Gaza Strip. Chancellor Scholz is also calling for a ceasefire. In a survey by the Forsa Institute for “Stern” and RTL, 57 percent are of the opinion that the federal government should criticize Israel even more.
The situation of the people in the Gaza Strip is desperate. Negotiations for a ceasefire appear to be deadlocked. Reports of an agreement were premature and Israel is preparing a ground offensive in Rafah, despite international criticism and warnings. A clear majority of Germans now believe that the federal government should criticize Israel more than before for its actions in Gaza. As a Opinion poll for the “Stern”, 57 percent were in favor of clearer words. 36 percent think that the traffic light coalition should hold back on criticism. 7 percent express no opinion.
Recently, Israel came under greater international pressure because of the military operation following the Hamas terrorist attack – among other things because of the large number of civilian victims and poor care for the population. Representatives of the federal government had primarily called for more food deliveries.
Voters from the Green Party (83 percent) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (70 percent) are particularly in favor of a tougher tone towards Israel. But the majority of supporters of the SPD (61 percent), the Union (55 percent) and the AfD (49 percent) are also in favor of clearer criticism.
Only the voters of one party overwhelmingly disagree: 56 percent of FDP supporters say that the federal government should hold back. Only 44 percent of FDP voters are in favor of stronger criticism of Israel’s actions.
The data was collected by the market and opinion research institute Forsa for “Stern” and RTL Deutschland on April 3rd and 5th, 2024. Database: 1001 respondents. Statistical margin of error: +/- 3 percentage points
The question was: “Should the federal government criticize Israel more than before for its actions in the Gaza Strip, or should the federal government hold back from criticism?”