Poll in Spain: Only a Quarter Support Sánchez’s Gaza Policy

A recent survey conducted by the Spanish newspaper ABC in collaboration with the research firm GAD3 revealed that only 26% of Spaniards support Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s stance on the war in Gaza. The majority of respondents expressed dissatisfaction or a neutral position toward the government’s actions, highlighting a growing divide between official policy and public opinion in Spain.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Sánchez’s government has adopted a hardline position against Israel. In May 2024, Spain officially recognized Palestine as an independent state, becoming one of the first EU countries to do so. Sánchez also urged the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel, including suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement and initiating an arms embargo.

In May 2025, Sánchez labeled Israel a “genocidal state,” sparking a diplomatic uproar that led to Israel recalling its ambassador from Madrid. Spain further escalated its position by filing a request with the International Court of Justice, asking it to assess the legality of Israel’s blockade of Gaza and its broader actions under international law.

Despite the government’s aggressive stance, Spanish public opinion remains divided. According to the ABC–GAD3 poll, just 26% support the government’s Gaza policy, while 37% oppose it and 29% rate it as “average.”

Notably, even among supporters of Sánchez’s Socialist Party (PSOE) and its coalition partner Sumar, support is far from unanimous: only 45% of PSOE voters and 40% of Sumar voters approve of the government’s approach, while a significant portion express doubt or disapproval.

Pedro Sánchez’s Gaza policy has sparked debate both domestically and internationally. While Spain has taken one of the strongest anti-Israel positions in the European Union, the country remains internally polarized. This disconnect between the government’s foreign policy and public sentiment could have long-term implications for both Spain’s domestic politics and its international standing.

On a broader European level, support for Israel appears to be waning, while sympathy for the Palestinian cause is on the rise. A YouGov study conducted in May 2025 found that favorability toward Israel in Western European countries has dropped to record lows. In nations like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, and Italy, only 13% to 21% of the population view Israel positively, while up to 70% express negative opinions.

Moreover, in countries such as Italy and the UK, public sympathy now leans more heavily toward the Palestinian side than toward Israel. This marks a significant shift in public perception and could increasingly shape the foreign policy decisions of European governments moving forward.