LONDON (Dispatches) – Public sympathy for Palestinians has notably increased in Britain as the humanitarian disaster worsens in Gaza due to the Zionist regime’s blockade, according to a new poll reported by The Times.
The findings, by the think tank More in Common, revealed that 29 percent of respondents sympathized more with the Palestinian side in the war, compared to 15 percent who sympathized more with the Zionist regime. 
This marks an 11-point rise in support for Palestinians since November 2023, just weeks after the October 7.
This growing support comes against the backdrop of catastrophic conditions in Gaza, where at least 127 Palestinians, including more than 85 children, have died of starvation since the Zionist regime’s blockade resumed in March.
More than 1,121 Palestinians have also been killed while seeking aid at distribution sites manned by Zionist troops and U.S. security contractors. 
Earlier this week, the UK and 27 other countries condemned “the drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians” seeking food and water.
When asked about Israel’s conduct in the war, 48 percent of respondents said the Israeli military response in Gaza has been disproportionate, compared to 28 percent who disagreed. 
The UK’s arms exports to Israel have also been under increasing scrutiny. While dozens of arms export licenses were suspended last year, campaigners and many MPs argue the steps do not go far enough. Last week, nearly 60 MPs and peers called for a full arms embargo. 
The poll suggests public support for such a move: 41 percent said the UK should stop exporting any weapons to Israel, while only 14 percent supported exporting both offensive and defensive arms. 
Meanwhile, the UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, said on Friday that the UK’s ban on Palestine Action campaign group was “disproportionate and unnecessary” and is at odds with international law.