Full-scale war in Middle East involving Israel and Iran likely, say most Europeans in poll

Rockets, fired from Iran, are seen over Jerusalem from Hebron, West Bank, on 1 October. Israel’s attacks on Iran were most commonly viewed as not justified in all seven countries, while Iran’s attacks on Israel were condemned by between 58% (France) and 71% (Spain). Photograph: Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu/Getty Images

Full-scale war in the Middle East involving Israel and Iran is now likely, most western Europeans responding in a poll believe, with many criticising Israel’s conduct thus far and saying that if such a war did occur, the US and Europe should not provide it with military aid.

A YouGov Eurotrack survey in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and the UK found that strong majorities in all seven countries, ranging from 65% in France to 82% in Spain, felt the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 were not justified.