The Tidö parties in Sweden—comprising the Sweden Democrats (SD), Christian Democrats (KD), and Moderates—have recently ramped up their public support for Israel, despite Swedish public opinion leaning heavily the other way.
The Moderates have described Israel’s controversial actions in Gaza as “proportionate,” while SD leader Jimmie Åkesson collaborated with a prominent Jewish YouTuber to advocate for limiting freedom of expression by banning Israel-critical demonstrations in Sweden.
However, a recent poll conducted by Indicator, surveying 3,000 Swedes, reveals a stark contrast between political rhetoric and public sentiment. Only 12% of Swedes hold a positive view of Israel, while 52% have a negative perception. Meanwhile, attitudes toward the Palestinian Authority are also critical, with 44% of respondents viewing it negatively. Sentiment toward Hamas is overwhelmingly negative, with 75% of Swedes disapproving.
Among political party supporters, the Christian Democrats stand out as the most supportive of Israel, with 47% expressing favorable views. In contrast, voters of the Left Party are the most critical, with 87% holding a negative opinion of Israel. This disparity highlights a growing disconnect between political leaders and the general public regarding the Israel-Palestine issue.
