Dutton can also mislead. “This government says that it’s okay for protesters to be out on the street,” he said last week. In fact, Albanese said last week that the pro-Palestinian protests on the anniversary of October 7 were not okay. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the same on Sunday.

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But the Labor language can be muddled while the Coalition has cut-through. Albanese tries so hard to sound reasonable to all sides that he ends up meandering. His position is close to the majority view – do not take sides – but sounds empty. This is incredibly dangerous for a prime minister because he sounds lacking in conviction.

The Greens, meanwhile, should pause to consider their approach. Only 6 per cent of Australians say Greens leader Adam Bandt and his party have responded best to the war. That is half the Greens’ primary vote. There is no sign the Greens are winning hearts and minds on this issue. Even Greens voters are unsure: only 32 per cent of them say Bandt and the Greens have the best response to this crisis.

The latest survey holds awkward findings for the protesters, as well. The Palestinian cause has galvanised a progressive movement that argues passionately against the destruction in Gaza and the bombardment of Lebanon. But the marchers may be weakening their cause with every step.

Protests often run the risk of looking aggressive and divisive, especially when emotions run high. A man who places a Nazi symbol on an Israeli flag heightens division. Someone who flies the flag of a listed terrorist group, or an approximation of it, does the same.

The Jewish community has marked the events of the last year without taking to the streets in the same way: more quiet vigils, fewer rowdy rallies. This may help explain why there is stronger community support for the Israeli cause than for those in Gaza.

When voters are asked whether Australia should voice in-principle support for either side in the conflict, 23 per cent say it should support Israel and 12 per cent say Gaza. Another 15 per cent say Australia should support both. This last finding is seemingly contradictory – perhaps even nonsensical to those who suspect there will never be a lasting peace – but it conveys a sense of sympathy for civilians on both sides.

In net terms, the Jewish community has more support than it seems to feel.

The advocates for a free Palestine will not like these findings, but they reflect a consistent view in the Resolve Political Monitor over many months. In June, for instance, 53 per cent said it was legitimate to hold a rally in a park. As soon as the rally moved onto the street, however, the support dropped. Only 41 per cent thought it was legitimate to hold a march.

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The simple truth is that some of the pro-Palestinian tactics turn Australians off. There is barely any support for protest camps at universities or crowds that block access to electorate offices, yet these are the very tactics some of the activists prefer. While Labor deplores some of this behaviour, nobody condemns the protests as forcefully as Dutton.

That means the marchers run the risk of losing public support with every chant – and helping Dutton instead.

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