Poll: Half of UK say Israel committing genocide in Gaza, majority support Netanyahu arrest

Middle East Eye

12 hours ago

More than half of Britons oppose Israel's war on Gaza, with the vast majority of those saying Israel's conduct amounts to genocide, a new poll has showed.
The survey, commissioned by the NGO Action For Humanity in collaboration with the International Centre for Justice for Palestinians, was conducted by YouGov.
The survey concluded that 55 percent of the public oppose Israel's actions in Gaza, with only 15 percent in support.
Of those 55 percent, an overwhelming 82 percent believe it amounts to the crime of genocide.
'This translates to 45 percent of adults in the UK who view Israel's actions as genocidal,' the two NGOs said.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The poll also found that nearly two thirds of Britons (65 percent) want the UK to implement the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he were to visit the UK.
According to the NGOs, the findings show 'growing public pressure for legal accountability and a decisive government response'.
The survey is based on a sample size of 2,010 adults, and the polling fieldwork was conducted online between 4-5 June 2025.
'The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+),' the groups said in a press statement.
Additionally, the YouGov poll reveals strong public backing in the UK for the immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, with support particularly pronounced among Labour voters.
Overall, 30 percent of Britons support recognising Palestine as an independent state right away, compared to just 10 percent who oppose the initiative.
An additional 19 percent believe recognition should come eventually, when the time is right.
Among those who voted Labour in the 2024 general election, support is even stronger: 43 percent favour immediate recognition, 21 percent back recognition at a later stage, and only two percent oppose it outright.
Suppport for Gaza visa scheme
Labour voters also show strong humanitarian concern for civilians affected by the war in Gaza, according to the poll.
The poll found that 56 percent of 2024 Labour voters support a humanitarian visa scheme for Gaza Palestinians, similar to the 'Homes for Ukraine' programme launched during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Israeli documents reveal further American interests in firm guarding Gaza aid hubs Read More »
Just 27 percent of Labour voters oppose such a scheme.
"Despite the misinformation to whitewash war crimes being committed in Gaza, the British public are not being fooled,' said Othman Moqbel, CEO of Action For Humanity.
'It is clear that a majority of the public here are disgusted with Israel's conduct, and a growing number agree that this is clearly a genocide.
'This polling shows that the government's failure to recognise the scale of the crimes being inflicted upon Gaza is not just putting them on the wrong side of history, it's putting them on the wrong side of the present day.'
And Jonathan Purcell, senior public affairs officer for the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, said: "UK policymaking should be based on complying with international law obligations regardless, but this poll just goes to show the level of popular support for such policies too.
"There is absolutely no appetite to drag our national reputation through the mud by continuing to stand with a rogue, pariah state."