A new poll shows Italians split on their attitudes toward Israel.
Some 53 percent of poll respondents felt Israel’s image with respect to other countries was “antipatico,” or negative, while 44 percent felt it was “simpatico,” or positive.
The poll was conducted earlier this month for presentation Wednesday at an Aspen Institute conference in Rome on European and Italian relations with Israel.
Some 53 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that Israel was “not an open and democratic society,” compared with 37 percent who disagreed, while 52 percent agreed that Israel has “a vital and advanced economy,” compared to 32 percent who disagreed.
At the same time, 48 percent said Israel’s relations with Italy should be strengthened, compared with 39 percent who disagreed. And 75 percent said the European Union should work harder along with the United States in aiding the peace process.
Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they believe that anti-Semitism is present in Europe and Italy.
