By Phalapoem editor, 29/12/2024
The catastrophic humanitarian crisis made by Israel in Gaza has drawn starkly contrasting responses from the British public and the UK government. While widespread protests, petitions, and vocal outcries highlight a deep sense of solidarity with the Palestinian people among British citizens, the government’s unwavering support for Israel has raised serious ethical and political concerns.
The Public’s Growing Solidarity with Gaza
British public opinion has increasingly leaned towards a critical view of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Massive protests in cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham have seen hundreds of thousands taking to the streets, calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the siege of Gaza. These demonstrations, often led by grassroots organizations and human rights advocates, reflect a broad coalition of people—Muslims, Christians, Jews, and secular activists—united in their demand for justice and accountability.
Social media has amplified the public’s voice, with millions sharing images, videos, and personal stories from Israeli war on Gaza that underscore the ongoing genocide. Public outrage has been fueled by reports of deliberate Israeli killing of tens of thousands of civilian, Israeli targeting of hospitals, schools, and refugee camps, and the Israeli calculated and deliberate plans of starvation and dire humanitarian conditions resulting from the siege. A YouGov poll in late 2023 found that a significant majority of Britons supported an immediate ceasefire and wanted their government to take a more balanced and humane approach to the crisis.
The UK Government’s Controversial Stance
In stark contrast, the UK government has maintained steadfast support for Israel, framing its actions as a defense against terrorism. Sunak’s and Starmer’s administrations have resisted calls for a ceasefire, instead emphasizing Israel’s “right to self-defense.” This position, widely criticized as gainer international law, one-sided and dismissive of the catastrophic loss of innocent Palestinian lives, has alienated many Britons who see it as an endorsement of collective punishment and apartheid policies.
Reasons Behind the UK Government’s Stance
1. Historical and Political Alliances: The UK has long-standing ties with Israel, shaped by shared geopolitical interests and historical alliances. These bonds have been reinforced through defense agreements, trade relations, and political cooperation, making it politically costly for the UK government to criticize Israeli policies openly.
2. Influence of Lobbying Groups: Pro-Israel lobbying organizations, such as the Conservative Friends of Israel, wield considerable influence in British politics. These groups play a pivotal role in shaping parliamentary discourse and framing the narrative around Israel as a key ally and a bulwark of democracy in the Middle East.
3. US Alignment: The UK often aligns its foreign policy with the United States, Israel’s staunchest ally regardless of the grave concerns of ongoing breach by Israeli apartheid all aspect of Palestinian human rights. Washington’s shameless support for Israel places additional pressure on the UK government to maintain a similar stance, even in the face of domestic opposition which would question the credibility of so called democracy in these countries.
4. Framing of Security: The government’s false narrative has leaned heavily on the framing of Palestinian resistance, a perspective that has overshadowed calls for addressing the root causes of the conflict, including decades of occupation, hundreds of massacres, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid policies. This false and dirty security-focused narrative serves to justify support for illegal Israeli occupation, despite the abhorrent and disproportionate and indiscriminate impact on Palestinian civilians who combine to suffer under Israeli racist rules.
5. Media Representation: Much of the mainstream British media and mainly BBC has echoed the government’s shameful narrative, emphasising unjustified Israel’s security concerns (as the case with all colonialist countries) while downplaying or misrepresenting the scale of suffering in Gaza and West Bank. This racist and biased coverage has provided the government with a degree of insulation from British public criticism, though alternative media like Al Jazeera and social platforms have increasingly countered this zionist narrative.
Public Backlash and Calls for Change
The disconnect between the UK government’s stance and the sentiments of its citizens has led to mounting calls for accountability. Prominent figures, human rights organizations, and members of Parliament have condemned the government’s position, accusing it of complicity in war crimes. The Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, has faced internal divisions, with many party members and supporters demanding a stronger stand against Israeli aggression.
This growing dissent has also led to a resurgence of interest in boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) campaigns targeting companies and institutions complicit in Israeli apartheid. Grassroots activism, coupled with increasing international pressure, suggests that the British government’s position may become increasingly untenable if public outrage continues to grow.
The British public’s overwhelming solidarity with Palestinians highlights a deep humanitarian impulse that contrasts sharply with the government’s political calculus. As the genocide in Gaza unfolds, the UK government’s unwillingness to confront Israeli apartheid not only undermines its moral standing but also risks alienating an electorate that demands justice, accountability, and a commitment to human rights. The question remains: will public pressure be enough to shift the UK’s stance, or will political interests continue to outweigh the cries for justice?