Australians Support Palestine, Not Israel

Nov 10, 2014

In a Roy Morgan poll of Australians’ attitudes to the Israel/Palestine conflict, 57 percent of respondents said Australia should vote “yes” to Palestine’s recognition as an independent Member State of the United Nations.

The poll was conducted last week on behalf of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN). The Chair of APAN, Bishop George Browning said:

This is an overwhelming endorsement of Palestine’s push to become an independent state living in peace beside Israel. Its message should be taken on board by the Abbott Government at the UN.

Only 27 percent of respondents thought the government should vote “no” to Palestinian statehood. This has special relevance as Australia currently holds the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of November.

30 percent of respondents thought the Abbott government favours the Israelis whereas only three percent thought it favoured the Palestinians. The results show that the government is out of step with public opinion.

When asked what they thought about Israel’s recent military attack on Gaza – causing (according to the UN) 1,486 civilian deaths – 43 percent of Australians said it was “not justified” and only 27 percent thought it was “justified”.

“In previous surveys, Australians have also overwhelmingly condemned the continual settlement building by the Israel government on Palestinian land that diminishes the possibility of a two-state solution” said Bishop Browning.

“It is clear Australians do not support Israeli actions against the Palestinians and a majority want the federal government to represent their views to the Netanyahu government and the world at the United Nations.”

View results of Roy Morgan Opinion Poll 2014 >