Anti-Israel sentiments on rise in Europe

This file photo shows an anti-Israel rally in France

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/194124.html

A recent survey across eight European countries has probed the reasons behind the growing hatred of Israel in several European countries.

Respondents in the poll say Tel Aviv's policies are the main reason for their hatred toward Israel.

They also cited the racist nature of Israel and Zionism as the second reason for their negative attitude toward Tel Aviv.

The survey was conducted by the Berlin-based Friedrich Ebert Foundation last July.

Around 3500 European adults participated in the telephone poll.

The developments come as peace activists in Europe are calling for Palestinian statehood, an end to the Israeli occupation, as well as the release of all Palestinian prisoners.

Moreover, Israel has also imposed a blockade on Gaza since the democratically elected Hamas government took control of the territory in 2007.

More than 1,400 Palestinians were killed during the three-week Israeli land, sea and air offensive in the impoverished coastal sliver during the winter of 2008-2009. The offensive also inflicted USD 1.6 billion in damage to the Gazan economy.

A United Nations inquiry led by the former South African judge, Richard Goldstone, detailed what investigators called Israeli actions "amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity," during Israel's offensive against the Gaza Strip.