Survey reveals strong sympathy for Palestinian cause among Icelandic public

A recent survey conducted in Iceland reveals that a significant majority of those polled express more sympathy for the Palestinian cause than for Israel. According to the survey by Maskína for the Iceland-Palestine Association, 72.5% of participants reported greater empathy for Palestine, with 54.4% indicating much more sympathy. Only 9.5% of respondents stated they felt more sympathy for Israel.

The survey also examined opinions regarding the potential severance of Iceland’s political relations with Israel. A total of 53.6% either strongly or somewhat favored ending these ties, with 33.9% expressing strong support. Conversely, 30.4% opposed the move.

When asked about imposing trade sanctions on Israel, 41.3% of respondents were strongly in favor, while 19.8% were somewhat in favor, resulting in a total of 61.1% expressing support for economic measures. Meanwhile, 22.5% were against such sanctions, with 12.9% strongly opposing them.

The survey was conducted between September 10 and 16, involving 994 randomly selected individuals aged 18 and older from various locations across the country. The results illustrate a pronounced inclination among the Icelandic public towards sympathy for Palestine and a preference for a more critical stance towards Israeli policies.