A recent survey by Angus Reid shows that Canadian public opinion is turning inexorably against Israel. Whether the question is on acknowledging the genocide in Gaza, on recognizing the Palestinian State, or whether Israel is deliberately starving the Palestinians, the trend is consistent. Read more and watch the video of an OFIP discussion panel…...
In the wake of the October 7th attack, Canadians were much more sympathetic to the Israelis (28%) than to the Palestinians (18%). Since that time, sympathy for the Palestinians has more than doubled and while sympathy for Israel has shrunk significantly, according to a recent survey published by Angus Reid.
The evidence shows that as Palestinian deaths continue to mount, both due to Israeli military strikes and starvation, and aid deliveries are prevented from reaching a desperate population, conversations around the conflict in Gaza continue to shift. This has led to increasing pressure in Canada to recognize a Palestinian state and intensifying calls for a ceasefire.
Most Canadians now say they feel sympathy primarily for the Palestinians, rather than for Israelis, or equally on both sides. Just over half (52%) say that they believe Israel is committing genocide. This represents an 11-point increase compared to responses to the same question in February 2024.
There is particularly bad news for Pierre Poilievre who still refuses to admit the evidence of genocide. When analysed by political party affiliation, it appears that 25% of those who voted for Poilievre’s party in the last election also agree that Israel is committing a genocide.
Whether they label it genocide or not, two-thirds of Canadians, including a majority of all demographics, say the current humanitarian situation in Gaza is a “moral outrage”.
The survey also has another piece of bad news for the Israel lobby in Canada. Only 1 in 9 Canadians think criticizing Israel is necessarily antisemitic!!
Despite strenuous efforts to shield Israel by claiming the criticisms are based on antisemitism, Canadians are not buying that argument. Of course the lobby will continue to throw the “antisemitic” label at those who defend human rights for Palestinians but it seems less and less likely to “stick”.
For a deeper analysis of the Angus Reid findings and their implications for all Canadians involved in defending international law and human rights for Palestinians, you are invited to watch a discussion with OFIP Vice-Chair and Head of Research Grafton Ross.
Canada Talks Israel Palestine is the weekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion about Canada’s response to the Israel/Palestine issue with a focus on the truth, clear analysis and human rights for all. Readers with different points of view are invited to make comment.
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Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 
Those who say that Hamas must be deposed should be taught more about that organization and its history.
They need to understand that the armed fighters are only a small part of those who support Hamas. They need to understand that the group was formed long after the violence in Palestine began. They need to understand why people voted for the political wing of Hamas in the last election (about 20 years ago). Most of all, they need to accept that if they want to recognize a Palestinian State, we need to allow Palestinians to pick their own leaders without limitations imposed by others.
This is such good news Peter that Canadians are finally seeing the truth about the atrocities in Gaza. I have written so many letters to CBC to tell the truth to Canadians about Gaza. Every time I watch CBC I get very frustrated for their pro Israeli reports. Thank goodness I have Aljazeera. Thanks for sharing this Peter. I am looking forward to your next zoom about Hamas. Danielle
The horrific abuse of human rights by the Israeli government is recognized by more and more Canadians in spite of ongoing propaganda from the rich Zionist lobby. Thank you for making this clear from the polls.
Hi Peter
The results of the Angus Reid survey are very heartening to those supporting Palestinians in Gaza but the results from the survey done for Penn State University, sighted in the recent OFIP webinar referred to your blog, are most disheartening. It showed that some 70% of Israeli Jews support the expulsion of the Palestinians from Gaza.