Joint MAP-Caabu Press Release
73% of British public want the UK to oppose Trump’s proposal to remove the Palestinian population of Gaza to other countries and make it American territory
Date: 26 February 2025
The latest YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) shows a huge majority, 73% of the British public, believe that the UK government should oppose US President Trump’s proposal to remove the Palestinian population of Gaza to other countries and make it American territory. This poll comes as the Prime Minister Keir Starmer is about to meet President Trump in the White House on 27 February where talks on the Middle East are likely to be on the agenda.
A massive 73% of those polled think the UK should oppose Trump’s proposal for Gaza with only 9% thinking the government should back the US President. 18% did not know. Of those that voted Labour at the 2024 General Election, 84% think the UK should oppose President Trump’s proposals.
If President Trump’s plan is implemented, this would amount to further forced displacement and, ultimately, the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population, in clear violation of international law. Many Palestinians in Gaza do not wish to leave. Those that do would not be doing so voluntarily given the conditions created by Israeli forces’ unprecedented 15 month bombardment and siege which has rendered Gaza uninhabitable, not least by the systematic destruction of critical infrastructure including the healthcare system.
Any forced displacement of Palestinians, whether by direct force or the creation of a coercive environment, must be prevented.
Chris Doyle, Director of Caabu, said: “Whilst the British government has said that Palestinians should not be forced from Gaza, it needs the Prime Minister to make this clear in no uncertain terms directly to President Trump. A failure to speak out against ethnic cleansing sends a very dangerous message. Any such move would undermine regional security which is against US interests but also a threat to stability, including Israel’s. Gaza does need to be rebuilt, but for Palestinians under their direction.”
Rohan Talbot, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at MAP, said: “These dangerous proposals not only threaten the fragile temporary ceasefire in Gaza, but the long term health, dignity and freedom of Palestinians through deepening Israel’s decades long policies of fragmenting Palestinian society and denying their rights of refugees to return and denial of Palestinians right to return to their homes and lands. The UK must unequivocally condemn these proposals, and outline what steps it is taking to prevent ethnic cleansing, and ensure Palestinians can return to and rebuild their homes.”
The poll also found that a majority (63%) of the British public did not believe that the UK government had a clear policy on the occupied Palestinian territory, with only 12% finding it clear. The UK must outline a clear and coherent strategy grounded in the principles of international law, and take decisive political action to address the root political, social and economic causes of Palestinian needs and uphold Palestinian self-determination. This must include a whole-of-Government approach that addresses Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza which the International Court of Justice found to be unlawful and pursues accountability for perpetrators of violations of international law.
This is the fourth MAP-Caabu opinion poll carried out by YouGov since October 2023. The polls highlight a significant gulf between the position of this and the former government, and public opinion. Overwhelming majorities were found to back a ceasefire (73% - May 2024), support an arms sales ban on Israel (58% - July 2024) and respect International Criminal Court arrest warrants (84% - July 2024).
“All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,178 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23rd - 24th February 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).”
/ENDS
Notes to editors:
Details of previous MAP-Caabu opinion polls:
7 August 2024 - 84% of British public says that ICC arrest warrants must be respected - https://www.caabu.org/news/press-release/joint-map-caabu-press-release-84-british-public-says-icc-arrest-warrants-must-be
17 May 2024 - New poll shows sustained British public support for immediate ceasefire in Gaza (73%) and the suspension of UK arms sales to Israel (55%) https://www.caabu.org/news/press-release/caabu-press-release-new-poll-shows-sustained-british-public-support-immediate
10 January 2024 - Opinion poll shows overwhelming British public support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (71%) - https://www.caabu.org/news/press-release/joint-map-caabu-press-release-opinion-poll-shows-overwhelming-british-public
For more information or interviews contact:
Caabu: Chris Doyle on +44 (0)7968 040281.
MAP: [email protected] // +44 (0) 203 869 1310
The full results of all the polling questions can be accessed via the link below:
