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LONDON: At least half of the British public want their government to launch a range of sanctions against Israel, a new YouGov poll has found.

The survey, conducted on behalf of the Council for Arab-British Understanding from July 13-14, found that 57 percent of respondents support a suspension of UK arms exports to Israel, with only 18 percent opposed. YouGov questioned 2,285 adults.

The lowest rate of support for a punitive measure against Israel was 48 percent of respondents who called for a trade embargo against the country.

Fifty-one percent support tariffs against Israel, and 52 percent believe the UK government should impose financial sanctions on the assets of specific Israeli nationals.

Just 18 percent of respondents support Israeli actions in Gaza, almost two years since the devastating war in the Palestinian enclave began.

Fifty-five percent of respondents oppose Israeli actions in Gaza — a substantial shift from a similar poll conducted in February, when 46 percent disagreed with Israel’s war and 22 percent supported it.

Forty-three percent of respondents said their view of Israel has worsened since the war began, while 16 percent said their views have stayed the same. Just 4 percent said they have a more favorable view of Israel since the war began.

Sixty-seven percent support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while 13 percent want a ceasefire when the time is right. Only 3 percent disagree with any ceasefire proposal.

Among respondents who oppose the war (55 percent), 81 percent believe that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.

Chris Doyle, Caabu’s director, said: “Ever since October 2023, both UK governments have been massively at odds with public opinion as well as international law.

“Serious action is required to pressure Israel to end what more and more people as well as experts view as a genocide in Gaza.

“This should include a total arms embargo on Israel, economic sanctions and a complete ban on trade with settlements.”