Poll The Mirror John Prescott Israel-Bashing. Photo: The Mirror Screenshot

An online poll run by British tabloid The Daily Mirror in which readers were asked to vote on whether they agreed with an Israel-bashing op-ed by former British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, closed on Friday with the “No” vote leading 59% to 41%.

After the op-ed, titled ‘Israel’s bombardment of Gaza is a war crime and it should end‘, was published on July 26, the poll showed that the majority of readers agreed with Prescott’s viewpoint, with 29% voting “Yes” and only 12% voting “No.”

But after the link to the article made the rounds via email and pro-Israel social media networks urging people to vote “No,” the pendulum swung in Israel’s favor. By Friday morning, the poll closed with “No” earning a landslide majority.

Prescott’s op-ed included the following charges.

Those who live in Gaza are kept like prisoners behind walls and fences, unable to escape the bombings, and an Israeli economic blockade has forced Palestinians into poverty.

Israel’s Iron Dome defence system easily intercepts missiles launched from Gaza. Three Israeli citizens have died from these ­primitive rockets, with 32 soldiers killed fighting Hamas.

Compare that to the toll in Gaza. Of the 1,000-plus to die, more than 80 per cent were ­civilians, mostly women and children.

But who is to say some of the other 20 per cent weren’t ­innocent too? Israel brands them terrorists but it is acting as judge, jury and ­executioner in the ­concentration camp that is Gaza.

And Israel flouts international law by continuing to build illegal Jewish settlements. Why? Because it knows it can get away with it.

When news of the “win” reached one pro-Israel Facebook page, one commenter noted, “This is one of those very rare times when spreading these call to action actually works. We DO have the power to change opinions to benefit Israel.”