Majority in UK back sanctions on 'Israel', poll shows

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Jun 2025 17:07
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65% of those surveyed support suspending arms sales to "Israel" while its attacks on Gaza continue.

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A pro-Palestine demonstrator holds up a banner at a protest outside the Houses of Parliament during Keir Starmer's Prime Minister's Questions in London, Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (AP)

A recent poll has revealed that a clear majority of people in the UK support sanctions against "Israel" in response to its ongoing military offensive in Gaza. Conducted by Yonder Consulting on behalf of Global Justice Now, the survey found that 62% of UK respondents favor imposing sanctions to pressure "Israel" to halt its campaign, while only 11% were opposed.

Public backing for stronger measures extends beyond sanctions. 65% of those surveyed support suspending arms sales to "Israel" while its attacks on Gaza continue, and 60% endorse halting the UK-Israeli trade agreement, even as the humanitarian crisis intensifies. Opposition to both measures remains low, at 11% and 13% respectively.

In Scotland, support is even more pronounced. Of the 177 Scottish participants in the nationally representative sample of 2,109 adults surveyed between May 28 and 29, 66% supported sanctions, another 66% favored stopping arms exports, and 61% backed trade suspension.

THE UK PUBLIC SUPPORT SANCTIONS ON ISRAEL

💥62% of Brits support economic sanctions on Israel, with only 11% opposed
💥 65% support an arms embargo with Israel, 11% opposed
💥 60% support suspending our trade deal, 13% opposed

Read more here: https://t.co/U8qD19QeD3 pic.twitter.com/L4kQE6Bvan
, Global Justice Now (@GlobalJusticeUK) June 5, 2025

While the UK government recently announced a freeze in negotiations for a new free trade deal with "Israel", it has maintained existing trade relations. The government's decision to send its trade envoy to "Israel" shortly after the announcement, to promote commercial ties, drew sharp criticism from rights groups and MPs alike.

The Labour Party is also under scrutiny. Government records show that the Labour government approved more arms export licenses to "Israel" in the last three months of 2024 than the Conservative government did between 2020 and 2023 combined. In addition, a group of Labour MPs reportedly visited "Israel" on a lobbying trip organized by Labour Friends of Israel, deepening public concerns over political complicity in the war effort.

Sanctions Momentum

The UK poll aligns with similar findings in Germany, where public support for pausing arms exports to "Israel" has also surged. A separate INSA poll commissioned by Avaaz, conducted between May 28 and 30, found that 58% of Germans support a freeze on military exports to "Israel", while only 22% were opposed.

The polling results came amid legal action brought by Nicaragua against Germany at the International Court of Justice, accusing Berlin of facilitating genocide by continuing arms transfers despite mounting civilian deaths in Gaza.

This cross-European sentiment reflects growing public discomfort with the extent of Western support for "Israel" as casualties rise. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, over 54,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed since October 2023. Rights groups argue that continued arms exports from Western countries amount to active complicity in war crimes.

Public Reckoning

Global Justice Now is calling on the UK to take immediate action. "As Israel erases Gaza before our eyes, today’s polling makes clear that across all regions, age and income groups, the British public wants our government to take far stronger action against Israel’s genocidal attacks," said Tim Bierley, a campaigner with the group.

"Just as the UK has placed comprehensive sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it must urgently exert meaningful pressure on Israel."

"Despite issuing stronger rebukes in recent weeks, the government continues to license key exports for arms used to massacre Palestinians and offer Israel privileged trade terms, as if war crimes should have no effect on business-as-usual."

"Under international law, the UK has a duty to prevent genocide – and any MPs who ignore public sentiment would do well to remember their duty to represent the voice of ordinary people."