Poll: Government out of touch with Australians on Palestine

Australia Palestine Advocacy Network

The Australian Government is at odds with the bulk of the Australian public on Palestine according to a recently released poll.

A national YouGov poll on the topic found a majority of people believe Palestine should be recognised as an independent state, and oppose the current approach the Australian Government has towards the Occupied Palestinian Territories in relation to the continuation of the occupation, the siege on Gaza, and support for the International Criminal Court.

“These poll results indicate what we’ve known for a long time, that the Australian Government is out of touch with the wishes of the general population,” Australia Palestine Advocacy Network President, Bishop George Browning said.

“Whether it’s illegal Jewish settlements, recognition of Palestine, or the ongoing occupation, the Australian public want to see their government take a principled stance in addressing the gross human rights violations committed by Israel.

“It’s also clear these opinions cross political affiliations, with a majority of Labor (62 percent), Coalition (54 percent), and Greens (79 percent) voters believing the Australian Government should call on Israel to end its apartheid, or work with international human rights groups for a solution.”

More Australians oppose Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory and the current government’s position than support it. Israeli settlements are opposed by 43 percent of respondents and supported by only 18 percent, and one and a half times as many Australians say they oppose the Australian Government’s position on the legality of settlements than support it.

When asked if Palestine should be recognised as an independent state, 54 percent of respondents agreed, with only nine percent opposing the idea. Of the major parties, only Labor and the Greens have committed to recognising Palestine if they form government.

Fifty percent of respondents believe Israel should immediately end its occupation of Palestine, compared with 13 percent in favour of it continuing.

When asked their views on recent reports that Israeli policies and actions constitute apartheid, 33 percent of respondents believe the Australian Government should engage with international human rights organisations to determine a suitable course of action, 23 percent believe the Australian Government should call on the Israeli Government to end its apartheid, with only 14 percent believing Australia should remain a staunch friend of Israel.

When asked his opinion on Amnesty International’s Israeli apartheid report earlier this year, Scott Morrison famously stated, “no country is perfect”, and “Australia and my government, in particular, will remain a staunch friend of Israel”.

Other poll results found a majority of people believe Israel and Egypt should immediately end their siege of Gaza (56 percent), and want the Australian Government to support the International Criminal Court’s investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestine (59 percent). At the request of Israel, the Australian Government has previously opposed the ICC’s investigation.

The YouGov poll was commissioned by APAN and the Australian Friends of Palestine Association.

Total sample size was 1013 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 21st – 27th March 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).

YouGov is a founding member of the Australian Polling Council and complies with its Code of Conduct designed to promote transparency in public opinion polling.

Information about this poll including sampling, and full question wording,

/Public Release.