Gaza Herald_ Survey shows historic collapse in Israel’s international image amid Gaza war, boycotts, and growing global isolation
Israel has ranked last among 50 countries in the 2025 Global Index for Measuring Countries’ Reputation, marking the second consecutive year it has placed at the bottom of the international rankings.
The National Reputation Index recorded a 6.1 percent decline in Israel’s overall score, the largest drop since the index was launched nearly 20 years ago, reflecting a sharp deterioration in global public perception.
The survey was conducted by the multinational research firm Ipsos between August and September 2025, with approximately 40,000 respondents from 20 countries, representing nearly 70 percent of the world’s population.
The index measures perceptions rather than actual performance, assessing countries across areas including governance, economy, culture, tourism, immigration, and public image. Israel ranked last in most of these categories.
According to the report, the most severe decline in Israel’s image was observed among young people in Western countries, where many respondents described the state as “colonialist” or “illegitimate.”
The reputational downturn coincided with the expansion of international protests and boycott movements linked to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, with demonstrations around the world frequently raising slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Boycott Israel.”
The report warned that continued damage to Israel’s reputation could have long-term consequences for its economy, tourism sector, and foreign investment.
More than two years after Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, protests condemning the war have erupted across multiple continents, while some governments have taken concrete measures against Israel, including suspending arms exports, deepening its diplomatic isolation.
Israel’s economy has also been affected by global popular boycott campaigns, which have extended into consumer markets and supply chains. Many consumers and importers have avoided Israeli products and companies.
According to the Israeli economic website Wasla, approximately 60,000 Israeli companies closed in 2024, underscoring the economic impact of prolonged international backlash.
