Poll reveals overwhelming majority of British public calling for ceasefire in Gaza conflict

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked strong opinions among the British public, with a recent survey by YouGov revealing that more than two-thirds of respondents are calling for a ceasefire. The poll, conducted earlier this week, found that 69 percent of those surveyed want an end to Israel’s military campaign, while only 13 percent support its continuation.

Interestingly, the survey also highlighted a shift in sentiment compared to previous months. In November 2023, a month after the war began, only 59 percent of respondents were in favor of a ceasefire, showing a 10 percent increase in support for ending the conflict. Conversely, support for the war has decreased from 20 percent during the same period.

Furthermore, the survey indicated that British people are more likely to sympathize with the Palestinian side of the conflict. On the day of the survey, 29 percent of respondents expressed more sympathy towards the Palestinians, while only 16 percent felt more sympathy towards the Israelis. Additionally, a significant portion of respondents (31 percent) admitted to not knowing which side they sympathized with, while 23 percent said they sympathize equally with both sides.

The survey also shed light on the issue of arms sales to Israel. Despite calls for a ban on the sale of weapons to Israel, the UK government has refused to pause or end arms exports. However, the survey revealed that a majority of the British public (56 percent) support a ban on arms sales to Israel, with 36 percent strongly in favor of such a measure. In contrast, only 20 percent oppose a ban, with 11 percent strongly against it.

The disparity between public sentiment and the stance of political leaders was also highlighted in the survey. While both the opposition Labour party and the ruling Conservatives initially supported Israel’s military campaign, Labour has since called for a humanitarian ceasefire and a pause on arms sales to Israel. In contrast, Conservative British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has argued against halting arms exports, stating that it would not be wise to do so.

The conflict in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on both sides, with thousands of lives lost and many more injured. According to the survey, Israel has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians since the start of the war, with the majority of casualties being women and children. The situation remains dire, with ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns continuing to escalate.

As calls for a ceasefire and an end to arms sales to Israel grow louder among the British public, the pressure on political leaders to take action and address the crisis in Gaza intensifies. The survey results serve as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted divisions and complexities of the conflict, and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.