A new poll suggests a significant shift in Canadian public opinion regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, with increasing sympathy now leaning toward Palestinians amid widespread condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
According to an Angus Reid Institute survey of 1,522 Canadian adults conducted online last week, 37% of respondents expressed greater sympathy for Palestinians, compared to 19% for Israelis. Another 27% said they support both sides equally.
These results represent a sharp change from polling in late 2023, shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel, when only 18% sympathized more with Palestinians and 28% supported Israel.
The latest survey also found:
- 62% believe Israel’s military actions since March 2025 are excessive.
- 52% now believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, up from 41% in February.
- 61% believe Israel is intentionally blocking aid to civilians in Gaza.
- 46% say Hamas is stealing food and aid meant for civilians.
“This points to widespread moral outrage,” said Adam Chapnick, a professor at the Royal Military College. “But it’s more about disappointment with the Israeli government’s conduct than a fundamental shift in support for Israel’s right to exist.”
Despite criticism of Israel’s military response, 74% of Canadians still support Israel’s right to exist as a state, and 63% believe peace is not possible as long as Hamas operates in Gaza.
The poll also shows generational divides. While most Canadians are pessimistic about peace in the region, 53% of Canadians aged 18 to 24 still believe lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians is possible.
A separate Leger poll conducted in late June with 1,579 participants found that 38% of Canadians believe peace is attainable, while 62% do not. These numbers show a modest rebound in optimism compared to late 2023, when only 19% thought peace was possible.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appears to reflect public sentiment. The Angus Reid poll found:
- 61% support Carney’s push to recognize a Palestinian state.
- 62% believe Canada should hold that position, even under pressure from the Trump administration.
- 54% say Canada should take further action to prevent the export of lethal arms to Israel.
Chapnick concluded that while Canadians remain supportive of Israel’s right to exist, the Israeli government’s approach under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and its reliance on far-right coalition partners—is undermining Israel’s standing among Canadians.
“Canadians are clearly upset with how this war is being conducted,” said Chapnick. “It’s not a rejection of Israel, but of how the current leadership is handling the situation.”