62% of British adults are not taking a side in the Israel-Gaza conflict

[lavender2023]

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/survey-results/daily/2023/10/16/b8bd3/1

Personally as a Jewish person (with family in Israel), I feel heartened by the results as it shows we are a compassionate country who can feel sympathy with both sides or are sensible enough to tick 'don't know' when they feel like they can't understand a complicated foreign conflict. I personally would probably tick 'both sides equally' or 'don't know' because i have such mixed feelings! I was reading some posts yesterday about Jewish people who want to move to Israel because apparently anti-semitism is worse than rockets. There are very valid concerns but we should at least take heart that the majority of people are far more nuanced and not taking sides like one would pick a football team, or are anti Israel . Social media isn't real life

There are regional variations but even in London, 56% of people are not taking sides. The one age group which is pro palestinian is the 18-24 group which is 39%, but at the same time, the combined numbers of 'don't know' and 'both sides' are 40%.

@Alcemeg 1. It is an absurd question, that just indicates how out-of-touch with reality the person asking it is.

1. Despite this, many people have responded to it - just scroll up and read.

1. No it's not...
2. No they haven't.

Perhaps re-read the whole question (in 3 parts)?

It is. It's insulting. How about if I asked every Israeli to denounce the members of the IDF who abuse Palestinians - otherwise I'll assume they support that behaviour?
How many Palestinians do you think are on MN waiting to answer ridiculous questions posed to make them look like terrorists or terrorist supporters? Do you all realise that there are different religions in Palestine, or are you only wanting answers from Palestinian Muslims?
You are , however, correct in that I won't be answering.

@Alcemeg it's an insulting question & frankly beneath you.

It is not on individual Palestinians to be held responsible for the behaviour of terrorists nor are they responsible to fight those terrorists with their bare hands nor are they responsible for having to condemn whilst they bury their dead children.

Anymore than Jewish people the world over are responsible for the hideous genocidal war crime behaviour of the Israeli government.

The Israeli people who live in Israel should be trying to oust their government through democratic means for sure.
But ordinary people are not responsible nor should they be held to account

Anymore than I'm responsible for the vile behaviours of Braverman.

No, it's just that Israelis do denounce their government. And their government, for all its faults, is not Hamas. Outside of Gaza, I'd feel reassured if there was evidence of more compassion than the open celebrations visible after 7 Oct.

You can be reassured by the lack of celebration then.
You may feel comfortable speaking for all Israelis (although FYI many do not denounce their government, quite a few posters have also confirmed this), but I don't speak for anyone but myself.
I think your need for reassurance is a personal issue, to be honest.
As I asked before, is the reassurance needed from all Palestinians, or just certain groups? And if the latter - why?

Sorry, I should have said "some Israelis" or "Israelis are capable of"...

I think your need for reassurance is a personal issue, to be honest.

You are correct. I'm terrified. What Hamas did was bad enough, but people's reactions to it, and pontificating about how Israel should magically handle the situation better, make me despair for our future.

@ChickHenLittle what I know in Israel is that people complaining are in a minority and it's targeted at getting the hostages back/ how could this happen type protesting.

I have to say I don't think posts like this help anyone. Down playing what Israel are doing by suggesting that people are saying that they should 'magically handle the situation better'? You don't have to magical to have humanity and not break International laws and humanitarian rights. You don't have to be magical to know that bombing medical centres, refugee camps, schools and churches is wrong. You don't have to be magical to know that starving 1 million children of food, water and aid is wrong. Nobody is looking for Israel to be magical, they are expecting them to be humane and I don't think that that is 'pontificating'.

The marches aren't in support of Hamas. I haven't seen any support for Hamas on MN, but hopefully if it has/ever does show up, it is swiftly deleted.
I'm genuinely curious as to which Palestinians denouncing Hamas would make you feel better. I don't see the relevance of that particular point.
Many of us have relatives, friends and acquaintances in the line of fire in Gaza and the West Bank. Many are horrified by the sheer scale of destruction and loss of life. It is understandable that another solution is desired. This entire conflict has gone on for so long, it can't continue. World leaders need to do their job and find a way that doesn't involve innocent people being killed, while affording Israelis and Palestinians safety and security.

4,480 children dead so far

You want to validate Hamas by negotiating a ceasefire with them?

If youre concerned about civilian casualties on either side, that might be what's called a short-sighted view.

Ffs it doesn’t matter who looks cooler or stronger in the playground! What matters is stopping the slaughter that’s happening now! And you never know genuine negotiations and compromise might prevent this absolute horror happening all over again.

I suppose that answer is never coming...

So the 120 countries who voted for one are all short sighted according to you?
That may be your view
But its definitely a minority view
The majority don't see the collective punishment of civilians to continue as a humane option

I honestly think a short sighted solution js what's needed at the moment.
In order to sit down and Work out with other Middle East counterparts what the long term solution is.
In my heart I want the hostages released first. At least a recognition as to who is alive.

Agreed
As much as I would like to see that happen too I don't feel Hamas will release hostages until there is a ceasefire
Unfortunately they say some have passed away but I'm sure there are many that are alive and there is still hope they can be re united with their loved ones
The current way with the continuous bombing greatly reduces this possibility
But Netanyahu has stated very clearly that the hostages are not the primary priority but rather secondary

The primary objective is to erase Hamas and retrieving and saving hostages is secondary
This was said in his own speech even after meeting the families of hostages

I've just worked out that Gaza is suffering a 7/10 level attack every 6.5 days.

It puts the level of suffering in perspective to me anyway.

@Totalblindnessofthesoul don't do that. By that argument no 7/10 level attacks would have led to no deaths.

So who's fault is that?

Israel's primary objective is to wipe Gaza off the map, a long-time dream of many in Israel, including Netanyahu who presented a map of the 'new Middle East' -without Palestine on it- to the UN in September of this year - before the Hamas attack.

If I was an Israeli who had a family member who was a hostage I would be infuriated at how little he has done to get my loved one back. If Netanyahu or the army were really interested in the hostages, they wouldn't be bombing indiscriminately when they don't know where the hostages are.

Hamas chose this course. We reap what we sow.

Jordanian deputy minister said today:

"Nobody is benefiting, on the contrary everybody is losing. Palestinians are losing their lives, people in the region are losing faith and Israel is losing its humanity in this war"

@Parkingt111 Israel is losing its humanity, yes (although one could argue it has been lost for some time now) but they ARE gaining more land, as usual.