In Spain, public opinion regarding events in Gaza appears much more unified than the positions held by political parties. According to a recent study, nearly 57% of the population consider what is happening in the Strip to be genocide, while less than 11% are inclined to view it as a justified military operation following the Hamas attack in the autumn of 2023.
Support for the idea of creating two independent states is also high—almost 58% of respondents favor this option. Even more Spaniards believe it is necessary to provide humanitarian aid, impose sanctions, and even enforce an arms embargo on Israel. About two-thirds of those surveyed support sending peacekeepers, while over 65% back economic restrictions. Even measures such as boycotting Eurovision and sporting events involving Israel have more supporters than opponents, although these initiatives are less popular than others.
The poll was conducted at the end of September 2025, when the country was still embroiled in debates over mass demonstrations in support of Palestine and after the final stage of the Vuelta cycling race was canceled due to protests. Notably, over the past year, Spaniards’ sympathies toward Palestine have grown significantly, while attitudes toward Israel have declined. Since November 2023, support for Palestinians has increased by 16.5 percentage points, and sentiment toward Israel has dropped by almost 8 points.
Perceptions of the conflict vary depending on political preferences. Among supporters of the People’s Party (PP), 38% consider Israel’s actions to be a serious war crime, and a third call it genocide. Only 16% see what is happening as a legitimate military response, which differs from the party’s official stance, which has long emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense. After Pedro Sánchez’s government recognized Palestine as an independent state, PP and Madrid leaders sharply condemned the move, claiming it allegedly strengthens Hamas.
Among Vox voters, opinions are mixed: nearly 30% call the events genocide, slightly fewer see it as a war crime, and 27% view it as a justified military operation. Within the Podemos and Sumar electorates, support for the government’s actions prevails, despite criticism from some party leaders.
The most contentious issues remain the potential boycotts of Eurovision and sporting events. Left-wing voters are more likely to support such measures, while PP and Vox supporters mostly oppose them. Overall, about 55% of Spaniards approve of mass rallies in support of Palestinians held in various cities across the country. However, opinions on the actions of the government and major parties are nearly evenly split, with PP and Vox receiving the lowest ratings among respondents.
Interestingly, almost half of those surveyed personally participated in protests or expressed their views on social media. Young people and supporters of left-wing parties were more likely than others to take part in demonstrations or boycott certain products for ethical reasons.
Spaniards are critical of international organizations and other countries: the majority judged the response of the European Union and the UN negatively, and the actions of the Israeli and US governments faced the most condemnation. Overall, Spanish society demonstrates a high level of engagement and solidarity with Palestinians, despite disagreements among political forces.
