Israelis hold a very favorable view of Germany, trust the country's leadership of the European Union and would like to become members of the EU, according to a new study released by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation on Wednesday.

According to the study, conducted by the Keevoon Research in Jerusalem for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, 67% of Israelis have a favorable view of Germany, and only 28% an unfavorable one, putting Germany behind only the United States (85% favorable) and Britain (80%). While only one-quarter of Israelis are aware that Germany now holds the presidency of the European Union, 67% believe it should play "a greater role" in the affairs of the union.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also seen in a favorable light, though she remains relatively unknown. Her approval was only 50%, but only 9% of Israelis reported any dislike for the chancellor.

The study also found that visiting Germany had a very strong positive influence on Israelis‚ perception of the country. Among Israelis who visited Germany, 86% hold a favorable opinion of it (19% higher than the average), and 82% had a favorable impression of Merkel. Even visiting the rest of Europe increased the favorability to 79%.

The favorability rating tilted heavily toward the elderly population. With the average at 67%, the level for Israelis over 51 years old was 80%. Merkel's approval rating, averaging 50%, rose to 77% among Israelis over 61 years of age.

Throughout the study, an intense Israeli dislike for France and French President Jacques Chirac was a recurring theme. France has the lowest approval rating of countries measured (35%) and the highest disapproval rating (61%). Chirac himself garnered an approval rating of merely 29%, with an unfavorable rating of 63%, surpassing the next in line (EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana) by 30 points.

The dislike of France was not affected by visiting the country, the study found. While the average approval rating stood at 35%, the rating among those who visited rose by just two points to 37%.

Despite the disparate views of the different countries, Israelis were strongly in favor of joining the European Union, according to the study. Fully 75% of Israelis said they supported the move, with 32% expressing "strong support." A mere 18% oppose membership.

According to Prof. Amnon Rubinstein of the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, a long-time advocate of Israeli membership in the EU, "this [finding] is not surprising, and is compatible with previous polls. The one unifying stand, above all other controversies and divisions, is the wish of most Israelis to belong to Europe."

However, Rubinstein noted, "it takes two to tango," and "Europe's attitudes" make it improbable that Israel will join the EU.

Nevertheless, he believes, "closer links with Europe should be a means both for strengthening Israel and ushering in a new mood in the Middle East."

Asked if Israelis would agree to the open borders membership in the EU would bring, Rubinstein said "Israelis are for open borders, but not to the enemy."

The study also found Israelis themselves to be strongly critical of the direction Israel was going, while indicating strong patriotic feeling. A surprising 77% of Israelis believe the country "is headed in the wrong direction," with only 14% indicating the country was on the right path. At the same time, asked if they would leave Israel were they to receive EU citizenship, 84% would not, while only 11% would leave.

This figure changed for young people. Among those aged 10-19, fully 37% would relocate to Europe if given the opportunity. For young adults aged 18-30, the figure dropped to 19%. For Arabs, the figure stood at 14%, among Orthodox Jews 5% and among haredim at zero.

Im not suprised about the figures about Germany. Im also not surprised about the feeling towards the French.

I've always thought Israel was a perfect EU candidate. Culturally, economically, and democratically; Israel would easily fulfill EU requirements, except for the Palestinian issue.

To be honest im surprised that only 19% of 18-30 year olds would relocate in Europe. I figured that number would be higher around 30-40%. Its interesting that 37% of 10-19 year olds would leave but after 19 years old it drops in half. It probably has something to do with their experience in the army.

israel has a graet relationship with germany, both politicals & cultures.

U better like Germany, because Germany rules :yes:

lol.... ISrael part of the EU, that would make the EU the most hypocrite institute in the world... i hope the day never comes.

lol.... ISrael part of the EU, that would make the EU the most hypocrite institute in the world... i hope the day never comes.Israel is a much more "Western" country than Turkey for example. I would say that it would make more sense if Canada joined, than Turkey.

lol :P

lol.... ISrael part of the EU, that would make the EU the most hypocrite institute in the world... i hope the day never comes.

why not?
Israel can fulfull every European Union's requirements, except for the Palestinian issue

well the palestinian issue is a BIG issue together with your history of violence, next to that you are not Europe,, get over it. To be in the european union you have to be Europe or at least 1 km2 europe.... Israel is NON.

^^Cyprus isnt Europe as well

if Turkey will enter (North Cyprus) we can do it as well

Israel is a much more "Western" country than Turkey for example. I would say that it would make more sense if Canada joined, than Turkey.

It's not about being western or having more "europeness"! Btw what's more western according to you? On the map Turkey is more western.You know the problems that exist in Isral and this makes it impossible to join.

^^Cyprus isnt Europe as well

if Turkey will enter (North Cyprus) we can do it as well

lol cyprus is Europe lol! its an island in the med,,, which makes it europe. btw its part of Turkey which is europe ;)

and for the peepz who want to say "but you said Turkey is mid east" turkey is the only country in Europe that is part of the middle east" the way Egypt is the only African country.

Cyprus isnt an obvious Europe...
it can be M.East as well

Look at Malta. They're not connected to Europe ad their language is semitic, as Hebrew is. Maltese is actually part of the Arabic language group.

Whether or not someone is in Europe is subjective. Geography means little as time goes on. What matters is strategic and poiltical issues. If Israel was in Oceania, then It would make sense not to have them in the EU, but Israel is only 45 minutes from Cyprus.... lets not make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Israel is not europe and of story, Israel is Asia and Middle east. Cyprus is Middle east and Europe Turkey is Middle east and Europe but Israel is just middle east. And even if you were europe,,, your human rights issue is waaaaay to big to enter... lol

^^go to check what France doing in Africa...

Israel is a much more "Western" country than Turkey for example. I would say that it would make more sense if Canada joined, than Turkey.

don't exaggerate but i would also prefer israel than turkey join the eu!!it's a strong high-developed nation with a growing economy!
but israel should be the last country,the eu shouldn't reach the pacific ocean ;)



good to hear that israelis like germany,it's good that there are not so many prejudices like "all germans are racists and anti-semitic" any more + the germans i know like israel as well!

time to forgive but not to forget

btw.... Cyprus is not part of the European continental shelf, so it is not in Europe.

Being a small country Israel will have to join a trade bloc sooner or later. I heard about a potential Mid-East bloc, but that would be bad for Israel. They would get cheap imports, which is good, but Arab countries will never buy Israeli products(even if they are better and cheaper), even if there is a peace deal, so Israel would not really benefit. Joining the EU, is Israel's only real option.

EU wouldn't have to wait 5-10 years for Israel to reform, because Israel meets all the requirements. Like I said before, the Palestinian issue would have to be resolved first before Israel becomes a member. Israel would be a valuable asset for the EU(militarily, technologically, a market for European goods, etc.) and Israel would also benefit as well.

It only makes sense for Israel to join the EU.
-In the UN, Israel is designated in the Western European zone
-Israel is a member of every European sports association(UEFA, FIBA-Europe, etc.).
-Israel does more business with the EU than any other bloc/country.
-Israel and the EU have numerous joint projects together.


For those who don't like Israeli policy, they would have a much easier time of changing it and influencing it if Israel were in the EU.

Israel may not be in Europe, but Israel is European. Its culture, economy and political system prove this.

LOL you think we want them to join? lol... never, im saying to you, never.

^^ hmm, what about the UAE? :D

why not?
Israel can fulfull every European Union's requirements, except for the Palestinian issue

yeah..... and the fact that it's not in europe :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

Ohhh please. You shouldn`t hang so much on the name. If the EU will have a new Afrcian or ME member they will change the name. That`s it. The EU is not only for European countries alone. They can expand even to Africa and Asia.

BTW: I am from Germany and i will visit Israel one day in the future before my passport runs up. So i can get a new one later with no Israel border stamp inside. That way i can visit Dubai again. :D

^^ hmm, what about the UAE? :D

lol! nah the border of europe is Turkey, Armenia, Azerbajian, Russia.

LOL you think we want them to join? lol... never, im saying to you, never.

You might not want, but European business does. Last year Israel had $51 billion in imports for a country of 7 million people. Instead of being a burden, like some EU countries, Israel would give more then it gets.

If montreal becomes independent it will be the next EU nation before Turkey or Israel.

what is E.U? give me one thing that defines the E.U?

soon it will be the E.U.N.. they have so many issues to solve themselves.

btw when we're talking about palestinian issues!
u need to check what's going with russians in Latvia and Estonia...

btw when we're talking about palestinian issues!
u need to check what's going with russians in Latvia and Estonia...

I agree with the Russian part, but what are Lativa and Estonia doing?

check it...

^^ Hahaha, very informative answer Zohar :D

LOL you think we want them to join? lol... never, im saying to you, never.
Because YOU don't want them to join, doesn't mean that all Europeans don't.
However, I do not think that at this point joining the EU will do any good for Israel.
Israel could benefit from a military alliance, such as NATO (which is not going to
happen of course), but membership in the EU will simply force Israel to compromise
a lot, and I don't know how good that is for its security or even existence.

But certainly, unlike many Eastern European countries, which are simply a burden
on the EU, Israel would not be a burden (most Eastern EU countries don't even
come close to Israel in development).

And shayan, think twice before you talk about human rights, because your Iran
is not that much better.

lol! dude believe me i know for one that the dutch are sick and tired of those new countries joining, i still believe we need one big europe but not with countries who arent european. Israel is not europe so no eu for Israel, end of the story, and cant you read? I've a story about Ashraf Pahlavi in my sigh, thats the sis of the shah, i fled Iran because of the poor human rights in Iran but well a person like you preferes making a judgement on some words instead of reading into the matter. And even Iran is better when it comes to human rights compaired with bombing childeren just less than one year ago, Iran didn't even do that in the Iran Iraq war....

Israel wont be a burden? it will be a huge burden, it will pull Europe in wars, now you want to export your wars to europe? please keep them for yourself. I prefere giving my money to a bulgarian farmer over having to recieve money from a country that still has blood on its hands.

Israel wont be a burden? it will be a huge burden, it will pull Europe in wars, now you want to export your wars to europe? please keep them for yourself. I prefere giving my money to a bulgarian farmer over having to recieve money from a country that still has blood on its hands.

then wtf are u doing in europe wich is a pool of blood, most of the wars where started cause of europeans, u know, u might have some blood on ur ass also!! ;)

Israel wont be a burden? it will be a huge burden, it will pull Europe in wars, now you want to export your wars to europe? please keep them for yourself. I prefere giving my money to a bulgarian farmer over having to recieve money from a country that still has blood on its hands.

Are you an actor? Whats with the drama....export wars.....blood on its hands? :lol:

The EU gives away enough money. For a change, Europeans want a member where instead of giving subsidies, then can actually make money off from.

lol! dude believe me i know for one that the dutch are sick and tired of those new countries joining, i still believe we need one big europe but not with countries who arent european. Israel is not europe so no eu for Israel, end of the story, and cant you read? I've a story about Ashraf Pahlavi in my sigh, thats the sis of the shah, i fled Iran because of the poor human rights in Iran but well a person like you preferes making a judgement on some words instead of reading into the matter. And even Iran is better when it comes to human rights compaired with bombing childeren just less than one year ago, Iran didn't even do that in the Iran Iraq war....

Israel wont be a burden? it will be a huge burden, it will pull Europe in wars, now you want to export your wars to europe? please keep them for yourself. I prefere giving my money to a bulgarian farmer over having to recieve money from a country that still has blood on its hands.
First of all, I don't know what you mean by "can't you read?", because I do not
really know you nor your circumstances. I know quite a few Iranians who
would like a regime change, and frankly I believe that in the whole Middle
East region Iran would probably be the best partner Israel could have.
Unfortunately, your government would rather destroy Israel, and I hope that
a new government comes and changes this attitude.

But that aside, I was merely using the limited knowledge I got from many of
your recent posts. Even the post I'm responding to has such things as
"bombing children" and "blood on your hands", which clearly shows your bias.
I am also biased, but I would never make such statements (for example about
Iran, which, again as I said, I find its stance very unfortunate). The fact that
in Iran things are done to its own people, rather than other nations, doesn't
make it any better. There is no comparison between the current regime in Iran
and Israel. But that is a totally different discussion, not related to this post.

With regards to the EU, no one is pulling anyone into wars. When actual
wars happen Israel always has been and always will be on its own (yes, even
the US has never helped Israel in any actual war - it merely sells weapons).

But if you read my whole message, my underlying point was that I don't even
think Israel needs the EU at the moment.

good :) cuz the EU needs Israël neither.

Even though Germany did have the Nazis, that it not a reason to hate them all the way, plus they do have good brawtwurst, though that's if you don't keep kosher.

I wouldn't be shocked if we see Israel, Armenia, and Georgia joining the EU in our life time.