An opinion poll of 5,000 Europeans in 10 countries conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that more than 8 out of 10 Europeans continue to be concerned about Iran developing a nuclear weapon and more than 7 out of 10 expressed strong support for stricter sanctions.
The telephone survey of adults in ten European countries -- Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom – was conducted from Jan. 2-31, 2012 by First International Resources.
The poll found that seventy-one percent (71%) of Europeans support imposing sanctions against Iran until it agrees to suspend its nuclear program. Support for sanctions was strongest in Norway, the Netherlands and Spain, while the highest opposition to sanctions was found in Germany, where 29 percent of respondents opposed stricter sanctions, according to the ADL poll.
"Europeans are rightly worried about the threat of a nuclear Iran. The European Union and individual European governments have put strong sanctions in place, and we see clear popular support for even stricter sanctions," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.
"Iran’s offer of negotiations could be a sign that sanctions are beginning to affect the regime’s thinking, but the possibility of talks should not be a reason to hold back on continually increasing the pressure until Iran verifiably abandons its nuclear weapons program."
"European leaders should know that even more intensive measures to compel Iran to comply with its obligations would be welcomed by their citizens," Mr. Foxman said.
"President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and European leaders have all said that getting Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions through negotiations is the result they want in order to avoid having to take military measures. It is imperative to immediately implement existing sanctions programs and adopt and implement additional measures in order to raise the chances for a peaceful outcome. "
"Iran has not stopped its nuclear program in the run up to negotiations and the strong sentiment among Europeans for imposing stricter sanctions should be a clear signal to the international community to accelerate the implementation of measures already adopted and move quickly to impose even more economic pressure," Foxman said.
Here are the poll findings country by country:
In response to the question, "Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, somewhat unconcerned, or not at all concerned about Iran developing nuclear weapons?" the 2012 survey found the following responding "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned:"
Austria – 87%, up from 79% in 2009 and 75% in 2007
France – 80%, up from 76% in 2009 and 81% in 2007
Germany – 88%, up from 83% in 2009 and 82% in 2007
Hungary – 81%, up from 70% in 2009 and 81% in 2007
Italy – 92%, up from 89% in 2007
The Netherlands – 81%, up from 74% in 2007
Norway – 87%
Poland – 88%, up from 84% in 2009 and 82% in 2007
Spain – 88%, up from 80% in 2009 and 81% in 2007
The United Kingdom – 88%, up from 85% in 2009 and 88% in 2007

In response to the question, “Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose imposing stricter economic sanctions against Iran until it agrees to suspend its nuclear program?” the 2012 survey found the following responding “strongly support” or “somewhat support:”
Austria – 67%, up from 37% in 2009
France – 69%, up from 54% in 2009
Germany – 66%, up from 47% in 2009
Hungary – 68%, up from 60% in 2009
Italy – 67%, up from 37% in 2009
The Netherlands – 75%
Norway – 78%
Poland – 71%, up from 61% in 2009
Spain – 74%, up from 57% in 2009
The United Kingdom – 71%, up from 49% in 2009