Australians are evenly divided on whether Israel should withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately or not

Now 51% of Australians say the Israeli army should withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately, while 49% say they should not, according to a special Roy Morgan Snap SMS survey conducted with a cross-section of 1,650 Australians aged 18+ from Thursday November 9 – Monday November 12, 2023. They were asked: “Turning to the current conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In your opinion should the Israeli army withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately or not?”

Respondents were then asked: “And why do you say that?”

Respondents who said ‘Yes’ mentioned the disproportionate impact on civilians and the humanitarian crisis, that over 99% of casualties and deaths have been civilians, that too many innocent are being killed and that it’s time to sit down and talk. The respondents said that they are implementing atrocities against civilians and children and that their actions are beyond cruel.

Other proponents of an immediate withdrawal said that Israel has occupied Palestine for far too long and that Palestine needs to be free and that it is not Israeli land and that they are engaging in a genocide and that ‘war crimes are war crimes on both sides’ – the initial attack doesn’t justify the current actions of the IDF.

Respondents who said ‘No’ mentioned that Hamas has not yet been defeated and still have hundreds of hostages in Gaza – nearly all innocent civilians. For there to be any withdrawal the hostages must first be released. The respondents said that Israel has a right to defend themselves after being attacked and that it would not be safe to withdraw immediately.

Other respondents noted that if Hamas is not defeated they will reform and attack again in future and that Israel needs to be allowed to ‘finish the job’. Respondents noted that ‘Hamas started the war, let Israel finish it’ and that ‘Hamas are terrorists’ and that terrorism must be ‘stamped out by eliminating the terrorists’.

Women and Australians under 50 support immediate withdrawal, men and Australians over 50 don’t

There is a clear gender split on the question with a large majority of women (64%) saying Israel should withdraw their armed forces immediately from Gaza compared to only 41% of men.

There is a similar dynamic by age with 65% of people aged 18-34 and 61% of those aged 35-49 saying Israel should withdraw their armed forces immediately compared to only 47% of people aged 50-64 and just 39% of those aged 65+.

ALP and Greens supporters want an immediate withdrawal, Coalition supporters don’t

There is a clear political divide on the question of withdrawal from Gaza.

A large majority of 93% of Greens supporters and almost two-thirds of ALP supporters (64%) say that Israel should withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately. In addition, 75% of those who support Independents say that Israel should withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately.

In contrast, a large majority of Coalition supporters (75%) and One Nation supporters (78%) say that Israel should not withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately. In addition, 57% of those who support Other Parties say that Israel should not withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately.

NSW and Victoria support withdrawal, WA and SA don’t, while Queensland is split 50:50 on withdrawal

Australia’s mainland States are split on the question of withdrawal from Gaza.

A majority of respondents in New South Wales (54%) and Victoria (51%) say that Israel should withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately.

In contrast, a majority of respondents in South Australia (58%) and Western Australia (57%) say that Israel should not withdraw their armed forces from Gaza immediately.

Queensland is split down the middle on the question with 50% supporting withdrawal and 50% against.

Support for an immediate Israeli withdrawal of their armed forces from Gaza by State:

• New South Wales: Yes (54%) cf. No (46%);
• Victoria: Yes (51%) cf. No (49%);
• Queensland: Yes (50%) cf. No (50%);
• Western Australia: Yes (43%) cf. No (57%);
• South Australia: Yes (42%) cf. No (58%).

Australians surveyed were each asked the following question:

• Question 1: “Turning to the current conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In your opinion should the Israeli army withdraw their armed forces from Gaza Immediately or not?”
  ‘Yes’ 51% cf. ‘No’ 49%.
• Question 2: “And why do you say that?”

This special Roy Morgan Snap SMS Poll was conducted with an Australia-wide cross-section of 1,650 Australians aged 18+ from Thursday November 9 – Monday November 13, 2023.

For further comment or more information contact:
Michele Levine 0411 129 093 or Gary Morgan 0411 129 094 or email askroymorgan@roymorgan.com.