Netanyahu: Israel must win over Generation Z in the West

(Patria) - Israel has "work to do" to win over young people in the West, as polls show declining support, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted in an interview on a UK-based podcast, Al Arabiya reported.

Protests against Israel's war in Gaza have become increasingly common in cities across the West, attracting large numbers of young people. A recent Gallup poll showed that only six percent of 18- to 34-year-olds in the United States have a favorable opinion of Netanyahu, and only nine percent approve of Israel's military action in Gaza.

On the "Triggernometry" podcast, Netanyahu was asked if Israel could lose the support of Western governments when "Generation Z" - those born between 1997 and 2012 - take power.

"If you tell me we have work to do on Generation Z and across the West, yes," he replied.

But he said that opposition to Israel among Generation Z stems from a broader campaign against the West and reiterated his unproven claim of an orchestrated conspiracy against Israel and the West, without saying who was behind it.

Since returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump has given Israel strong support. Netanyahu said on the podcast, which presents itself as a promoter of free speech with "open, fact-based discussion of important and controversial issues," that Trump "proved to be an exceptional, exceptional friend of Israel, an exceptional leader."

"I think we were very lucky to have a leader in the United States who does not behave like European leaders, who does not succumb to these things," he added, referring to countries including France and the United Kingdom, which have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state.