New poll shows Quebecers less favourable to Israel, U.S. than rest of Canada

Quebecers are much less favourable toward Israel and the United States than the rest of Canada overall, a new poll has found.

A survey by Léger, conducted between March 27 and March 30, finds only 17 per cent of Quebec respondents view Israel favourably, compared with 22 per cent nationally. Views of the U.S. follow the same: 17 per cent favourable in Quebec versus 22 per cent across Canada.

That contrasts the attitudes toward other countries: in Quebec, 69 per cent of respondents hold a favourable view of Ukraine and 64 per cent of Cuba, both above or in line with national averages.

The province has seen some of Canada’s largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza, with several marches drawing thousands onto the streets of Montreal. More recently, activism has shifted to the war in Iran.

Quebec’s Jewish community has also been targeted: Jewish schools and synagogues in the Montreal area have faced vandalism, threatening graffiti and in some cases gunfire, prompting several institutions to increase private security.

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Across Canada, sentiment toward Israel has deteriorated in recent years. Only 22 per cent of Canadians report a favourable impression, down from 33 per cent in 2023, while 61 per cent now hold an unfavourable view.

Yet the poll suggests Canadians — including Quebecers — are drawing a distinction between Israel as a state and its underlying legitimacy.

Three-quarters of Canadians say Israel has a right to defend itself when threatened. Two-thirds agree it has a right to exist. And similar support extends to both sides: 80 per cent say Jewish people have a right to a homeland, and 76 per cent say the same for Palestinians.

Still, many respondents are critical of Israel’s conduct. Just over half say Israel is its own worst enemy because it makes little effort to live peacefully with its neighbours. About a third believe it is actively seeking peace.

Other findings in the poll:

Conservative voters are far more likely to view Israel favourably, at 38 per cent, compared with 17 per cent among Liberal voters and 12 per cent among supporters of the New Democratic Party.

Nearly four in 10 Canadians say Ottawa should be doing more to address rising antisemitism since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7 and the subsequent war, while 29 per cent believe the government is doing enough.