JNS.org – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent trip to France following three Islamist terrorist attacks that killed a combined 17 people caused some controversy, but the overwhelming majority of Israelis support both his visit to Paris and his conduct while there, a new Israel Hayom poll shows.

French President Francois Hollande had reportedly opposed Netanyahu’s participation in the massive anti-terrorism march in Paris on Jan. 11 because the Israeli leader’s presence would be “divisive.” Yet 75 percent of Israelis surveyed by Israel Hayom said Netanyahu made the right decision by going to the march. Only 16 percent of respondents said he should not have gone, and another 9 percent were undecided on that question.

Another issue raised by Netanyahu’s visit was whether he should have issued a call for French Jews to move to Israel. Some saw his comments as offensive because they might have implied that France is incapable of protecting its own citizens. But most Israelis side with the prime minister. When asked if Netanyahu conducted himself appropriately when he urged French Jews to make aliyah, 66 percent of respondents said yes and 25 percent said no.

Additionally, more than three-quarters (76 percent) of respondents said Israel is the safest place in the world to live as a Jew.