LONDON: Just 17 percent of people in the UK think Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza, according to a new poll conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Council for Arab-British Understanding.
Fifty percent of respondents said they believe genocide is taking place, with the remainder unsure.
The findings, compiled on July 2-3, suggest that the views of the British public are at odds with that of the UK government, which has thus far refused to say Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The survey also found that just 15 percent of the public believe Israel should remain an ally of the UK, with 55 percent actively wanting a break in such ties.
Caabu’s director, Chris Doyle, said: “Whoever replaces Keir Starmer (as prime minister) should be aware that 67 percent of Labour voters in 2024 believe Israel is committing genocide. This strength of public opinion should be ignored no longer.”
In January 2024, the International Court of Justice said there were plausible grounds to believe Israel was committing genocide, a view backed by a host of independent experts.
In September 2025, a UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that genocide was taking place. The UK, however, has only stated that Israel is at risk of breaking international law.
In addition, the survey showed that 48 percent of people are in favor of a ban on trade with Israeli settlements. That number rose to 62 percent of people who voted for the Labour government.
On top of that, 72 percent of Labour voters believe that the UK should impose a full arms export ban on Israel, which the government has so far refused to do.
Caabu said the poll “demonstrates the huge chasm between the position of the government and the electorate on the issue of Israel-Palestine.
“Whilst the government hesitates to take the minimum action required to tackle Israeli atrocities, the public increasingly expect to see the UK taking action to hold Israel to account.”
Joseph Willits, Caabu’s head of parliamentary affairs, said in a press release: “An immediate and complete settlement trade ban is the bare minimum requirement expected of a new administration, one demanded by UK Parliamentarians and the public alike.
“It’s time to send a strong signal to Israel and its supporters that these illegal settlements have to end, and also that the perpetrators of genocide are undeserving of allyship.
“The public know this and have consistently demanded consequences. It’s time the UK government did too.”
Agencies
Just 17% of Brits deny Israel committing genocide in Gaza: Poll
