Survey shows protests are hurting the Palestinian cause

Australians back the right of peaceful protesters to speak out about the Gaza war but strongly reject moves to blockade electorate offices over the issue, amid growing signs that violent activists are targeting politicians.

The Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for Sydney Morning Herald by Resolve Strategic, shows public protests are weakening support for their cause, with 46% of voters saying they are less likely to favour the pro-Palestinian side because of the marches and blockades being used to raise awareness.

The results reveal sharp differences according to age, with 63% of respondents aged 55 and over saying they were less likely to support the pro-Palestinian side because of the protests, compared to 27% among people aged 18 to 34. Politically, 61% of coalition voters, 40% of Labor voters and 16% of Greens voters took this stance.

After months of public rallies and marches against the war in Gaza, only 41% of respondents thought marches in the street were legitimate forms of protest.

There was 14% support for protests that occupy buildings or set up camps on university lawns.

Even less (10%) believe it is legitimate to block access to a politician’s electorate office, a key finding after political leaders blamed pro-Palestinian activists for vandalising offices and forcing some to close. Only 4% of respondents thought it was legitimate to damage property in pursuit of a cause, while 9% accepted the idea of protesting at the home of a political or business figure.

The only protests with majority support were online petitions or letter-writing campaigns and peaceful rallies in parks or outside parliament.