Public Opinion in Times of Conflict: Romanian Views of Israel in the Aftermath of the October 7 Events

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing Israel-related attitudes among Romanians in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas-led terror attack on Israel. Using a national survey conducted in February 2024, we examine whether antisemitism, Islamophobia, self-identification as progressive or liberal, political orientation, and media consumption predict attitudes toward Israel among the Romanian population. The main findings show that people holding antisemitic attitudes are more inclined to develop negative attitudes towards Israel. Islamophobia proves to be a significant predictor of positive attitudes towards Israel; negative views of Islamist groups are correlated with stronger support for Israel. Individuals’ self-identification as progressive emerges as another significant predictor of positive attitudes toward Israel. Interestingly, media consumption does not significantly predict positive attitudes towards Israel, underscoring the more substantial role of ingrained prejudices in shaping people’s views of Israel. These findings enhance the understanding of public attitudes during international conflicts or high-profile events and provide insights for policymakers, strategic communication (stratcomm) practitioners, educators, and human rights advocates aiming to reduce prejudices and encourage balanced discourse during turbulent times.