Growing Public Support for Gaza in the UK: What is Starmer’s position?

London hosted Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Monday (28 April 2025). Mustafa’s visit came after he had already held talks with David Lammy. He called on the British to recognize an independent Palestinian state. The UK government is seeking to follow public opinion in the wake of the increase in Public Support for Gaza in the UK. The visit of the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister to the UK after several years could be a sign of a change in the UK government’s position on the war in Gaza. This article examines public opinion on the war in Gaza. It will also examine the opinion of the British regarding Trump’s plan for Gaza.

The Palestinian Prime Minister’s important visit to the UK

No Palestinian official has visited the UK since 2021. For this reason, the presence of Mohammad Mustafa has attracted a lot of attention. Mohammad Mustafa was appointed prime minister in 2024 by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He is an economist who graduated from George Washington University. He is a well-known and trusted figure in the West. However, not many details have been released about his talks with the British prime minister and foreign secretary. In the midst of the war in Gaza and with a ceasefire seemingly out of reach, Mohammad Mustafa’s arrival in the UK and talks with senior British officials have been interpreted as a rift between Tel Aviv and London.

Britain is trying to enhance its position in the Middle East

The British are trying to maintain their influence in the Middle East. Since the Palestinian Authority is trying to position itself in the future of the Palestinians and Gaza, welcoming Mohammad Mustafa means accepting him from London. The UK government’s welcoming of the Palestinian prime minister is also seen as supporting the Palestinian Authority. It seems that the British prefer to use the Palestinian authorities against rivals such as Hamas. London also wants to present itself as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinians.

Increasing pressure from British public opinion on the Starmer government on Gaza

The prolonged war in Gaza, the high number of Palestinian deaths, and the hunger and dire humanitarian situation in this strip have affected British civil society activists. The government, led by Starmer of the Labor Party, finds itself under pressure from Public support for Gaza in the UK. The invitation of Mohammad Mustafa could be due to the pressure on Starmer. Moreover, Britain follows a conservative policy towards the Gaza issue. Supporting the Palestinian Authority could mean that the country is trying to support the Palestinians with the lights off, without wanting to anger Netanyahu.

Britain is trying to create two Palestinian and Israeli states

Britain considers itself a supporter of the two-state plan. Of course, London has so far refused to recognize the state of Palestine. In Europe, countries such as Spain, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Bulgaria recognize the state of Palestine. According to the UK government, the two-state solution through negotiations is the best way to ensure long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Britons oppose Trump’s Gaza plan

A new YouGov poll commissioned by the Palestinian Medical Aid and the Council for Arab-British Understanding found that 73 percent of Britons believe the government should oppose US President Donald Trump’s plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza and turn the area into US-controlled territory. Only 9 percent of respondents said they believed the UK government should support Trump’s plan. Eighteen percent of respondents to the survey said they were unsure whether or not to support Trump’s plan for Gaza. Among Labor voters in the 2024 general election, 84 percent opposed Trump’s plan.

The lack of transparency in the Starmer government’s strategy on Palestine

Public support for Gaza in the UK is increasing day by day. This is while the British are complaining about the lack of transparency in the UK government’s positions. A YouGov poll shows that 63% of British people believe that the government does not have a clear policy towards Palestine. Only 12% consider the Starmer government’s policies on Palestine to be clear. The two organizations that conducted the survey have made requests to the UK government. They have called on the UK government to develop a clear and coherent strategy based on the principles of international law.

Strong public support for a ceasefire in Gaza

A large proportion of Britons support a ceasefire in Gaza. Polls overwhelmingly show Public support for Gaza in the UK. Four polls have been conducted since October 2023 by two Palestinian medical aid organizations and the Arab-British Council for Understanding. In a poll conducted in October 2024, 73% of Britons supported a ceasefire. Also, in a poll conducted in July 2024, 58% of people called for an end to arms sales to Israel, and in another poll, 84% stressed the need for the UK to comply with the rulings of the International Criminal Court, including the execution of arrest warrants.

Public support for Gaza in the UK: Continuous and growing

Public support for Gaza in the UK is growing. They want Israel to fulfill its international obligations. They want Israel to allow a quick recovery and unhindered delivery of aid. According to the British, the civilians of Gaza, who have suffered so much, should be allowed to return to their homes. In such circumstances, the UK government has not taken a clear position on Gaza. British public opinion also opposes Trump’s plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza. Many British people criticize the lack of clarity of the Starmer government’s positions on Gaza. They want the British government to have a clear and explicit position on the events in Gaza. In their opinion, the UK government should not take ambiguous positions. The visit of the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority to the UK could be a sign of a change in the UK government’s position.