TEL AVIV- January 31, 2011 (WAFA) - A survey in Germany and Norway shows the majority of the people there believe Israel to be aggressive and religiously extreme.

According to the poll, 68% of Norwegians would describe the Israelis as religious, 59% as extremists and 55% said they believe Israel does not want peace. The poll also indicated that 43% support the Palestinians while 21% support Israel.

Meanwhile, 55% of the Germans who took the poll said Israel is responsible for the violence in the Middle East, 46% said Israel commits war crimes, 48% believe Israel is an extremist state. At the same time, 27% support the Palestinians whereas 15% support Israel.

The Israeli Yediot Ahronot newspaper said Monday that the image of Israel in Europe is catastrophic, and is becoming worse than ever before. It said the Israeli Foreign Ministry has drawn up a $12 million public relations plan to improve its image.

The Israeli ministry’s worries have increased with Britain and the Scandinavian states officially boycotting Israeli settlements' products.

An Israeli diplomat in Europe expressed his concern over the current position his country is in and with the Palestinians getting most of the support for establishing their own state.

M.N.