Global survey finds majority back cutting arms sales to Israel over Gaza war
The findings come amid growing international condemnation of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has reportedly killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children.
A new global survey released on Thursday has revealed that the majority of people in Spain, Greece, Colombia, Brazil and South Africa believe that arms companies should stop or reduce trade with Israel as its deadly war on Gaza continues.
The poll, commissioned by the Global Energy Embargo for Palestine (GEEP) and endorsed by the left-leaning Progressive International organisation, was conducted in July via the Pollfish platform.
The five countries surveyed were selected due to their direct involvement in the import and transport of energy to Israel, with more than 1,000 respondents participating per nation.
More To Read
- Gaza airdrops not enough to address humanitarian crisis
- Palestine condemns US House speaker's visit to West Bank settlement
- Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions
- No Palestine 'left to recognise' without two-state solution pathway, Australian FM warns
- The Muslim world has been strong on rhetoric, short on action over Gaza and Afghanistan
- 58 ex-EU ambassadors accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza, warn bloc risks complicity in war crimes
According to the survey, Spain recorded the highest opposition to weapons sales to Israel, with 58 per cent of respondents calling for a complete halt and another 19 per cent supporting a reduction in arms trade.
In Greece, 57 per cent of people said their country should completely halt arms sales to Israel, while 17 per cent preferred a partial reduction. In Colombia, 52 per cent supported a total ban, with 19 per cent backing reduced trade
Similarly, 37 per cent of Brazilian respondents favoured ending arms sales and 22 per cent supported reductions. South Africans also showed strong opposition, with 46 per cent backing a full ban and 20 per cent supporting reduced armed exports.
The findings come amid growing international condemnation of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has reportedly killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children.
"The people have spoken, and they refuse to be complicit. Across continents, ordinary citizens demand an end to the fuel that powers settler colonialism, apartheid and genocide," Ana Sanchez, a campaigner for Global Energy Embargo for Palestine, said on the report, according to Al Jazeera.
"No state that claims to uphold democracy can justify maintaining energy, military, or economic ties with Israel while it commits genocide in Palestine. This is not just about trade; it's about people's power to cut the supply lines of oppression."
Additionally, the survey found that 61 per cent of respondents in Greece and 60 per cent in Spain rejected Israel's current military campaign in Gaza, while in Colombia, 50 per cent opposed the offensive.
Opposition was lower in Brazil and South Africa, where 30 per cent in each country rejected the campaign. Meanwhile, 33 per cent of Brazilians and 20 per cent of South Africans voiced support for Israel's actions.
The survey results also come weeks after Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, urged countries to cut financial and military ties with Israel, warning that its actions were fueling an "economy of genocide."
Top Stories Today
Reader Comments
Trending
