A HUGE majority of Brits support a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, putting them at odds with the UK Government and Labour according to a new poll.
The polling from YouGov asked 2685 people whether they believe there should or shouldn’t be a ceasefire as the war between Israel and Hamas continues, with a huge civilian loss of life.
58% responded that there “definitely should be” and 18% said there “probably should be”, while only 5% said there “probably shouldn’t be” and 3% said there “definitely shouldn’t be”.
This brings the UK public at a direct odds with both the official UK Government policy and that of Labour, the official opposition.
Rishi Sunak failed to heed cross-party calls – including from First Minister Humza Yousaf – for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday.
The prime minister said, instead, that Israel has a "right to defend itself, to protect its people and to act against terrorism and ensure that the awful attack we've seen from Hamas cannot happen again".
A spokesperson for Keir Starmer also dismissed calls for a ceasefire, also saying that Israel had a "right to defend itself" and to do what was required to recover the 199 hostages it says are being held captive in Gaza.
It also comes as Michael Gove is planning to bring his bill banning British public bodies from boycotting Israel next week.
The communities secretary will bring the bill back in front of MPs on Wednesday according to The Guardian.
However, several senior Tories have spoken out against it, warning it could inflame tensions in the UK.
The Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, the co-director of the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, said: “This bill, as an example of exceptionalism for the state of Israel, is hard to beat. It also bakes impunity into our wider relationship and is disastrous for British influence and the ability to restrain our allies in the ghastly circumstances around Gaza.”
He added: “It is all too obvious. The effect of this bill on community relations will in reality be utterly toxic. It is completely irrational to continue with this bill now.”
Another Tory MP told The Guardian that the decision to press ahead with the bill was “fxxking madness”, adding: “I’m worried there will actually be violence on the streets if we go ahead.”
A government spokesperson said: “This bill will tackle the real risk to community cohesion posed by public institutions using taxpayer money to pursue their own foreign policy agenda and will ensure the UK speaks with one voice internationally.
“We will continue to engage with and listen to stakeholders, parliamentarians and communities across the UK throughout the passage of the bill.”
