Majority Britons Support Palestinian Statehood Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict

British public opinion is increasingly supportive of recognizing Palestine as an independent state, with recent YouGov polls showing nearly half of Britons back the UK government's plan to do so in September if Israel does not meet conditions including a ceasefire and reopening aid routes. Sympathy for Palestinians has grown, now reaching 62% combined, while support for Israel remains low at around 15%. This shift reflects broader European skepticism about Israel's actions in Gaza, which many view as disproportionate and unjustified. The UK government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has set conditions for recognition, demanding Israel take substantive steps toward peace and humanitarian relief, though some Labour MPs and Plaid Cymru members argue recognition should be unconditional. At the same time, criticism of Israel's policies is framed by some as rooted in a historical legacy of British colonialism, linking current Israeli actions to a century of imperial complicity. Domestically, Starmer faces criticism for his Middle East policy amid concerns over Britain's internal challenges such as crime and economic issues.