Poll result shows strong support for a ceasefire in Gaza
A recent YouGov poll showed a majority of Australians support recognition
of Palestine, an immediate end to the occupation and siege of Gaza
by Israel and support the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigating
war crimes in Palestine.
The poll by respected international polling agency YouGov (who also produce newspoll) is weighted to be representative of the Australian adult population.
The results
54% of Australians believe the government should join 139 other nations and recognise Palestine as an independent state, while only 9% oppose recognition.
50% of Australians believe Israel should immediately end its occupation of Palestine, while just 13% think the occupation should continue.
59% of Australians want the government to support the ICC to investigate war crimes in Palestine while only 11% oppose them supporting the investigating.
A majority of Australians including voters for Labor (62%), Coalition (54%), and Greens (79%) believe the Australian Government should call on Israel to end its apartheid policies and practises, or work with international human rights groups for a solution.
56% of Australians thought that Israel and Egypt should end their siege on Gaza that limits food, medicines, travel and trade. Only 11% think the siege should continue.
The poll has a margin of error of + or – 3.5%
What does the poll tell us?
The poll tells us that the current policies of the Coalition parties are completely out of kilter with the views of the Australian public. The views of the ALP are more aligned but in important respects are still lagging behind the views of the public.
The fact that successive Australian governments have been so committed to a largely uncritical friendship with Israel, which ignores the human rights of Palestinians, is at odds with the views of the Australian public.
What should happen now?
All political parties should re-examine their policies in the light of the reports of Human Rights organisations finding Israel is practising apartheid and align their policies with the views of the Australian people. Australia can play a positive role in providing Palestinians with self- determination, freedom, and dignity only if they will call out breaches of international law and human rights abuses happening in Israel and Palestine and take action to bring these to an end.