A recent survey conducted across five countries – Brazil, Colombia, Greece, South Africa, and Spain – indicates a notable wave of public sentiment advocating for restrictions on the trade of weapons with Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Released by the Global Energy Embargo for Palestine network and endorsed by the Progressive International organization, the poll highlights significant discomfort with the normalization of military engagement amidst humanitarian crises.
Spain recorded the highest opposition to weapon sales, with 58 percent of participants calling for an outright cessation of arms trade. Greece followed closely with 57 percent support for ending such transactions, while 52 percent of Colombian respondents echoed similar sentiments. In Brazil, 37 percent favored an immediate stop to arms sales, and 22 percent recommended a reduction. South Africa reflected modest support, with 46 percent seeking a complete halt and 20 percent advocating for reductions.
This survey arrives in the context of heightened global awareness surrounding Israeli actions in Gaza, particularly following statements by Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She urged countries to reconsider their financial links to Israel, describing current conditions as dire and necessitating a global response.
Ana Sanchez, a campaigner with the Global Energy Embargo for Palestine, emphasized the crucial role of public opinion in influencing international policy. She asserted that citizens worldwide are expressing a clear message: there should be no complicity in sustaining colonial policies that result in human suffering. This reflects a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of global citizens in advocating for humanitarian values.
The survey targeted countries with historical links to the importation and transportation of energy resources to Israel, involving over 1,000 respondents per nation to assess their attitudes towards governmental and private sector relations with Israel. Notably, condemnation of Israeli actions was most pronounced in Greece and Spain, where 61 percent and 60 percent of respondents, respectively, opposed current military operations.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with devastating reports of casualties and destruction affecting vulnerable populations, arms manufacturers and facilitating companies are increasingly coming under scrutiny. Reports of industry shifts include Maersk’s decision to divest from businesses linked to Israeli settlements, amplifying calls for accountability.
In a significant development, Norway has announced a review of its sovereign wealth fund’s ties to Israeli firms after it was revealed that investments indirectly supported military operations. This growing trend demonstrates an increasing resolve amongst international entities to reassess their connections to regions in conflict, aligning economic activities with the principles of peace and justice.
Public response to the survey indicates a proactive stance towards meaningful action, with 41 percent of Spanish respondents expressing strong support for governmental initiatives to limit arms sales. Majorities in Colombia, South Africa, Greece, and Brazil also expressed varying degrees of support for such measures. David Adler, co-general coordinator of Progressive International, reinforced this sentiment, stating that people globally are demanding concrete actions, rather than mere rhetoric, from their governments concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
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