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Press Pack: New data reveals huge majorities for fuel, machinery, weapons embargoes on Israel [1]

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Date: 2025-08

New data reveals huge majorities for fuel, machinery, weapons embargoes on Israel

New polling data on public attitudes on trade with Israel finds large majorities in favour of fuel, machinery, and weapons embargoes, and companies being held accountable for the consequences of trade. The findings relate to five major economies across three continents.

Polling was commissioned by the campaign Global Energy Embargo for Palestine, endorsed by Progressive International, and fielded by Pollfish 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’ responsibilities in relation to Gaza have been surveyed.

Over 3 in 4 (76%) of Spaniards believe fuel, weapons and machinery companies trading with Israel should be held responsible for how their products are used in Gaza. In Greece and Colombia this figure is 7 in 10 (71% and 70% respectively), and three fifths in South Africa and Brazil (60% and 62% respectively.)

Two thirds (66%) of Spanish voters would support the government cutting trade in fuel, weapons and machinery with Israel to end its actions in Gaza while only 4% expressed strong opposition. The figure is similar in Greece (63%), closer to three fifths in South Africa and Colombia (58% and 60% respectively) and nearly half (48%) in Brazil.

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.

It follows Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk’s announcements that they will cut ties with companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank, and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s assessment of business involvement in what her office terms an “economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide.”

The polling also follows the recent resolution 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.

Press Contacts:

Yara, Global Energy Embargo for Palestine: [email protected]

James Schneider, Progressive International: [email protected]

To Access Full Data Set:

https://palenergyembargo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Attitudes-towards-Gaza-in-five-countries.pdf

Quote Pack:

“The 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’s about people’s power to cut the supply lines of oppression.”

Ana Sánchez, Campaigner for Global Energy Embargo for Palestine

“The message from the peoples of the world is loud and clear: they want action to end the assault on Gaza — not just words. Across continents, majorities are calling for their governments to halt arms sales and restrain Israel’s Occupation.

That’s why states are coming together through The Hague Group to take concrete measures toward accountability. It’s time for others to follow their lead.”

David Adler, Co-General Coordinator of Progressive International

“When people overwhelmingly demand accountability for those fueling the ongoing genocide of Palestinain people, their governments and corporations can no longer claim it’s ignorance of complicity. The data reveals that large majorities—from 76% in Spain to 62% in Brazil—believe 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.”

Allie Rosenbluth, Oil Change International US Program Manager

“ASCOMARE welcomes Maersk’s decision to divest from companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank—a 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.

Such transfers are routinely facilitated—actively or tacitly—by 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’ 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—hospitals, schools, refugee camps—engages the international responsibility of States.

The legal framework is unequivocal. Non-compliance may give rise to serious legal consequences, particularly for UNCLOS States Parties. We therefore urge all States—whether acting as port, coastal, or flag States—to 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.”

Pierandrea Leucci, Lawyer and President of ASCOMARE

“We welcome Maersk’s 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.”

Anders Schelde, Chief Investment Officer for AkademikerPension

For interviews, please contact: Jakob Lyders Tarpgaard, Press officer

Tel +45 6084 7090, Email: [email protected]

“It is good – and about time – that Maersk has decided to break with companies connected to the illegal Israeli settlements. It is a victory for all the forces working hard to end foreign investment in the illegal settlements. And it is also in line with recommendations from the Danish parliament, the UN and the ICJ and it is to be expected that companies will follow these. Hopefully, the step that Maersk has taken can spread to other companies that maintain their dirty business in the settlements. Additionally, we call on Maersk to also end its weapons transport to Israel in light of the well documented war crimes.”

Sara Katrine Brandt, Head of Policy & Strategic Partnerships,

Action Aid Denmark, Tel: +45 7731 0005 Email: [email protected]

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[1] Url: https://palenergyembargo.com/news/press-pack-new-data-reveals-huge-majorities-fuel-embargoes-israel/

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