New polling data on public attitudes on trade with Israel <\/span>finds large majorities in favour of fuel, machinery, and weapons embargoes, and companies being held accountable for the consequences of trade.<\/b> The findings relate to five major economies across three continents.<\/span><\/p>\n Polling was commissioned by the campaign <\/span>Global Energy Embargo for Palestine<\/span><\/a>, endorsed by Progressive International, and fielded by Pollfish<\/span> last month in Colombia, Greece, Spain, Brazil, and South Africa. Respondents were surveyed on their attitudes towards both government and private sector trade relations with Israel; the first time public attitudes on companies\u2019 responsibilities in relation to Gaza have been surveyed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These findings will add to mounting pressure on major shipping companies based in the five countries, as well as exporters of fuel, weapons, and industrial equipment, to assess their international legal obligations when exporting to Israel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It follows <\/span>Hapag-Lloyd<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Maersk\u2019s<\/span><\/a> announcements that they will cut ties with companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank, and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese\u2019s assessment of business involvement in what her office terms an \u201ceconomy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The polling also follows the recent <\/span>resolution<\/span><\/a> of the Hague Group – which includes Colombia and South Africa – to end military and dual-use exports to Israel and restrict the passage of vessels engaged in such exports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Press Contacts:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Yara, Global Energy Embargo for Palestine<\/span>: <\/span>comms@palenergyembargo.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n James Schneider, Progressive International:\u00a0 <\/span>james.g.h.schneider@gmail.com<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To Access Full Data Set:<\/b><\/p>\n Attitudes-towards-Gaza-in-five-countries.pdf<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Quote Pack:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cThe 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. No state that claims to uphold democracy can justify maintaining energy, military, or economic ties with Israel while it commits at genocide in Palestine. This is not just about trade; it\u2019s about people\u2019s power to cut the supply lines of oppression.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Ana S\u00e1nchez, Campaigner for Global Energy Embargo for Palestine<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cThe message from the peoples of the world is loud and clear: they want action to end the assault on Gaza \u2014 not just words. Across continents, majorities are calling for their governments to halt arms sales and restrain Israel’s Occupation.<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s why states are coming together through The Hague Group to take concrete measures toward accountability. It\u2019s time for others to follow their lead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n David Adler, Co-General Coordinator of Progressive International<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cWhen people overwhelmingly demand accountability for those fueling the ongoing genocide of Palestinain people, their governments and corporations can no longer claim it\u2019s ignorance of complicity. The data reveals that large majorities\u2014from 76% in Spain to 62% in Brazil\u2014believe fuel, weapons, and machinery companies trading with Israel must be held responsible for how their products are used in the destruction of Gaza. We call on these companies and governments to be held to account and reiterate our demand for immediate humanitarian aid, a permanent ceasefire and an end to the Israeli occupation in Palestine.”<\/span><\/p>\n Allie Rosenbluth, Oil Change International<\/a> US Program Manager<\/b><\/p>\n \u201c<\/b>ASCOMARE welcomes Maersk\u2019s decision to divest from companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank\u2014a notable victory for pro-human rights civil society initiatives. Yet, this step must not obscure the ongoing concern over the maritime transfer of arms, military equipment, and dual-use components to Israel, which have been used in operations resulting in crimes against humanity and serious violations of international law in Palestine.<\/span><\/p>\n Such transfers are routinely facilitated\u2014actively or tacitly\u2014by flag States and by States exercising jurisdiction over ports and maritime transit routes. As detailed in the Legal Opinion commissioned by the BDS National Committee and prepared by legal experts coordinated by ASCOMARE, this conduct breaches States\u2019 due diligence obligations under UNCLOS and customary international law. Enabling or failing to prevent the maritime transport of arms used against civilians and civilian infrastructure\u2014hospitals, schools, refugee camps\u2014engages the international responsibility of States.<\/span><\/p>\n The legal framework is unequivocal. Non-compliance may give rise to serious legal consequences, particularly for UNCLOS States Parties. We therefore urge all States\u2014whether acting as port, coastal, or flag States\u2014to act without delay. The recent decision by Antigua and Barbuda to ban weapons transfers to Israel from its flagged vessels and to establish legal consequences for violations offers a timely and lawful model.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Pierandrea Leucci, Lawyer and President of <\/b>ASCOMARE\u00a0<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe welcome Maersk\u2019s decision to cut ties with companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements. It is an important step amid the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people. In 2024, we filed a shareholder proposal calling on Maersk to publicly disclose its human rights due diligence in line with the UN Guiding Principles. This outcome shows that investor engagement works. Responsible companies must act when human rights are at stake. We urge others in the industry to follow this example.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Anders Schelde, Chief Investment Officer for AkademikerPension<\/b><\/p>\n For interviews, please contact: Jakob Lyders Tarpgaard, Press officer<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n