
UK public opinion of Israel souring as Gaza war nears 2-year mark: Poll
The survey, conducted on behalf of the Council for Arab-British Understanding from July 13-14, found that 57 percent of respondents support a suspension of UK arms exports to Israel, with only 18 percent opposed. YouGov questioned 2,285 adults.
The lowest rate of support for a punitive measure against Israel was 48 percent of respondents who called for a trade embargo against the country.
Fifty-one percent support tariffs against Israel, and 52 percent believe the UK government should impose financial sanctions on the assets of specific Israeli nationals.
Just 18 percent of respondents support Israeli actions in Gaza, almost two years since the devastating war in the Palestinian enclave began.
Fifty-five percent of respondents oppose Israeli actions in Gaza — a substantial shift from a similar poll conducted in February, when 46 percent disagreed with Israel's war and 22 percent supported it.
Forty-three percent of respondents said their view of Israel has worsened since the war began, while 16 percent said their views have stayed the same. Just 4 percent said they have a more favorable view of Israel since the war began.
Sixty-seven percent support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while 13 percent want a ceasefire when the time is right. Only 3 percent disagree with any ceasefire proposal.
Among respondents who oppose the war (55 percent), 81 percent believe that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.
Chris Doyle, Caabu's director, said: 'Ever since October 2023, both UK governments have been massively at odds with public opinion as well as international law.
'Serious action is required to pressure Israel to end what more and more people as well as experts view as a genocide in Gaza.
'This should include a total arms embargo on Israel, economic sanctions and a complete ban on trade with settlements.'
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Naim said several gaps had been nearly solved, such as the agenda of the ceasefire, guarantees to continue negotiating to reach a permanent agreement and how humanitarian aid would be delivered. In a joint statement, Egypt and Qatar also said progress had been made. 'It is a natural to pause talks to hold consultations before the resumption of the dialogue once more,' they said. The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops from positions in Gaza after any ceasefire takes place. The deal under discussion is expected to include an initial 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up, and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting ceasefire. The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the conflict until Hamas gives up power and disarms. The militant group says it is prepared to leave power but not surrender its weapons. Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in different locations, including tunnels, and says it has ordered its guards to kill them if Israeli forces approach. Some 50 hostages remain in Gaza but fewer than half are believed to be alive. Their families say the start-stop talks are excruciating. 'I thought that maybe something will come from the time that the negotiation, Israeli team were in Doha,' said Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is being held hostage. 'And when I heard that they're coming back, I ask myself: When will this nightmare end?'