Global poll : More than two-to-one support Palestinian state

A majority of more than two-to-one people around the world back UN recognition of Palestine as an independent state, according to a poll in 19 countries. The poll, jointly conducted by the BBC and GlobeScan, found an average of 48 per cent of the general public wanted their governments to support the proposal which is due to be voted on this week. Only 21 per cent were opposed. The Palestinians are seeking full membership at the UN which requires the approval of the Security Council with the US threatening to veto the vote despite a pledge by President Barack Obama to recognise a Palestinian state. But the poll found that even in the US, Israel's closest ally, a majority of 45 per cent of Americans backed the proposal as opposed to 36 per cent against. The findings also confirmed a poll published last week by Avaaz, the global campaigning organisation, showing that more than half the public in Europe's three most powerful countries wanted UN recognition. In France, there was 54% support and in Britain and Germany 53 per cent compared with the higher findings of 69 per cent, 59 per cent and 71 per cent respectively. The latest poll showed that support was as high as 90 per cent in Egypt, while the lowest level was in India, with 32% in favour and 25% opposed. Overall, there was an average of 30 per cent who opted not to give a definite answer as they thought their country should abstain, or 'it depends', or they did not offer a view.