August 8, 2025 | 11:20 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the war in Gaza continues, a survey conducted across five countries in Europe, the Americas, and Africa shows growing public support for halting arms sales to Israel.
The poll, released Thursday and reported by Al Jazeera, found that a majority of respondents in Brazil, Colombia, Greece, South Africa, and Spain believe arms companies should stop or reduce their dealings with Israel due to its ongoing attacks on Gaza.
Spain recorded the strongest support, with 58 percent of participants calling for a complete stop to arms trade with Israel. Greece followed closely with 57 percent, and Colombia with 52 percent.
In Brazil, 37 percent supported a full halt in sales, while another 22 percent favored a reduction. In South Africa, 46 percent backed a complete stop, with an additional 20 percent supporting reduced sales.
The survey was commissioned by the Global Energy Embargo Network for Palestine, backed by the left-wing group Progressive International, and conducted via the Pollfish platform in July.
It followed a call by Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, urging governments to end financial ties with Israel and denouncing what she described as the "genocide economy."
"The people have spoken, and they refuse to be complicit. Across continents, ordinary citizens demand an end to the fuel that powers settler colonialism, apartheid and genocide,” said Ana Sanchez, a campaigner for the embargo network.
She emphasized that no democracy should maintain energy, military, or economic ties with Israel while its military operations in Gaza continue.
"No state that claims to uphold democracy can justify maintaining energy, military, or economic ties with Israel while it commits a genocide in Palestine. This is not just about trade; it’s about people’s power to cut the supply lines of oppression."
The countries chosen for the survey were selected based on their direct involvement in energy trade or transportation to Israel. Over 1,000 respondents in each country were asked about government and private-sector ties to Israel.
Opposition to Israel’s military campaign was strongest in Greece and Spain, where 61 percent and 60 percent of respondents, respectively, rejected the ongoing actions in Gaza. In Colombia, 50 percent expressed opposition, while the figure stood at 30 percent in both Brazil and South Africa. Support for Israel’s campaign was lowest in South Africa, with only 20 percent in favor.
According to humanitarian reports, more than 61,000 people have died in Gaza, the majority being women and children. The region also now has the highest number of child amputees per capita, with much of the Gaza Strip in ruins and its population suffering from starvation.
Amid mounting pressure, arms manufacturers and shipping companies are facing increased scrutiny. In June, Maersk, the Danish shipping company, divested from firms involved in Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. The decision followed a campaign linking the company to the Israeli military and the occupation of Palestinian territories.
More recently, Norway announced a review of its sovereign wealth fund’s investments in Israel. The fund was found to hold shares in a company supplying fighter jet components to the Israeli military.
Other global funds and pension schemes have also begun distancing themselves from companies tied to the conflict in Gaza or the West Bank.
In response to the survey, 41 percent of Spanish respondents said they would strongly support national efforts to curb arms, fuel, and goods trade as a way to pressure Israel to end the war.
In Colombia and South Africa, 33 percent of respondents agreed, with Greece and Brazil registering 28 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
David Adler, General Coordinator of Progressive International, said the survey underscores a global demand for real action.
“The message from the peoples of the world is loud and clear: They want action to end the assault on Gaza – not just words.”
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