2 days ago
Most people in the UK support sanctions against Israel, new poll finds
The new polling, commissioned by human rights organisation Global Justice Now and carried out by Yonder Consulting, found that 62% of people in the UK would support sanctions being imposed on Israel as a means to exert pressure on it to stop its brutal attacks on Gaza. Just 11% of respondents said they would oppose sanctions.
The polling also found that 65% support banning all arms sales to Israel until it ends its assault on Gaza (with 11% in opposition), while 60% would support suspending the existing trade deal between the UK and Israel (with 13% in opposition).
READ MORE: POLL: How would you vote in the Hamilton by-election?
The poll, which surveyed 2109 UK adults between May 28 and 29, also showed that support for sanctions against Israel is higher in Scotland than the UK as a whole.
It found that 66% of people in Scotland support sanctions on Israel (9% oppose), while 66% support a ban on arms sales to Israel (10% oppose), and 61% support a trade deal suspension (12% oppose).
The Scotland-specific results are based on the 177 people in Scotland who were surveyed out of the 2109 total.
While the UK Government said last month that it was suspending negotiations on a new free trade deal with Israel, its existing trade agreement with Israel is still in place.
Despite branding the Israeli government's actions as "egregious", the UK Government sent its trade envoy to Israel just days after the suspension to "promote trade" between the two countries.
It was also revealed that the Labour Government licensed exports of more military equipment to Israel in the final three months of 2024 than the Tories did for all of 2020-2023.
READ MORE: 'Brave and powerful' documentary on Gaza protests to have Scottish premiere
The National also reported how a group of Labour MPs visited Israel on a lobbying trip reportedly just last week, organised by the party's most prominent pro-Israeli group, Labour Friends of Israel.
Global Justice Now called on the UK Government to impose sanctions, arguing that it has "a duty to prevent genocide".
Tim Bierley, a campaigner with Global Justice Now, said: '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.
'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.'
The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.
