Although the group is twice as unpopular as it is popular
The Palestine Action campaign group has grabbed headlines in recent months, most notably for breaking on to RAF Brize Norton and daubing military planes with paint. However, a new YouGov survey shows that as many as 42% of Britons have not yet formed a view on the group, answering “don’t know” when asked what they think of them.
Almost as many people (39%) say they have an unfavourable view of Palestine Action, twice the number who say they have a favourable view of them (20%).
Among voting groups, Green voters are the most likely to have a favourable view of Palestine Action, at 49%. Labour voters are slightly more likely to hold a positive view of the group (30%) than a negative one (24%), while Lib Dems are more likely to be negative (35% unfavourable to 22% favourable).
The majority of Conservative and Reform UK voters hold an unfavourable view of Palestine Action, on 62% and 71% respectively.
Ethnic minority Britons are more likely to hold a favourable view of PA than their white counterparts (40% vs 17%), with those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage particularly favourable, at 74%.
Was it right to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation?
While clearly more people have a negative view of Palestine Action than a positive one, the public are much more split on the government’s decision to proscribe the group. While 33% say it was right to ban the group as a terrorist organisation, 27% say it was wrong to do so (the remaining 39% are unsure).
One in nine (11%) of those with an unfavourable view of Palestine Action say that it was wrong of the government to proscribe them, with a further 19% unsure.
Among voting groups, Green voters are the most likely to say it was wrong to ban Palestine Action, at 62%. A plurality of Labour voters (41%) and Lib Dems (35%) also oppose the government’s decision, with 21-25% in support.
By contrast, 58% of Tories and 67% of Reform UK voters believe the government has made the right call.
Ethnic minority adults are again more likely to feel Palestine Action has been wrongly treated (45%) relative to white Britons (24%). Among those of Pakistani/Bangladeshi heritage, 82% think it was wrong to ban the organisation.
What do you think about the ban on Palestine Action, the Israel-Hamas conflict more generally, and everything else? Have your say, join the YouGov panel, and get paid to share your thoughts. Sign up here.
Photo: Getty
