UK
Jews feel less safe practising their beliefs than any faith group in Britain
Three quarters of Jews believe religious extremism poses a threat to British society
August 16, 2024 14:58
Three quarters of Jews believe religious extremism poses a threat to British society
August 16, 2024 14:58Jews feel the least free and safe to practise their religious beliefs of any major faith in Britain, a new survey has revealed.
Members of the community are also likely to be concerned over rising religious extremism in the UK, but do not believe they should avoid discussing Judaism in the workplace.
The data, which was collected in July and August of this year, reveals widespread concern over threats to Jewish life in Britain amid rising antisemitism amid Israel’s war in Gaza.
Just 47 per cent of Jews in the UK said they agree with the statement that they feel “free and safe” practising their religious views.
That compares to 65 per cent of Christians, 69 per cent of Muslims and 92 per cent of Hindus.
The survey, published by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IFL), also reveals that 30 per cent of Jews have avoided telling people about my faith in the last four weeks.
Forty six per cent of Hindus said the same, compared to 24 per cent of Muslims and 13 per cent of Christians.
Charlotte Littlewood, senior research fellow at the IFL, said: "The fact that the community that has survived repeated genocide attempts throughout its history, facing the most recent only 80 years ago, are the faith group most at fear to practise their faith in the UK and are avoiding telling people about their faith should act as a warning to all."
The IFL survey was conducted by Whitestone Insight, which is regulated by the British Polling Council, and had over 2,000 respondents.
Jews, at 84 per cent, were the most likely group to say their faith was bound up with their cultural heritage, and the most likely to disagree with the statement that people should not talk about their faith in the workplace.
Fifty seven per cent rejected the claim, which was 21 per cent higher than average.
Hindus, at 80 per cent, were the most likely to say faith and religion are generally a force for good in society.
While 79 per cent of Muslims agreed, just 55 per cent of Jews and Christians did.
Seventy six per cent of Jews believe Christian heritage is an important part of British culture, compared to 84 per cent of Christians and 54 per cent of Muslims.
Three quarters of Jews meanwhile believe that religious extremism poses a threat to British society.
Christian concern remained high at 85 per cent, whilst Muslim concern remained relatively low at 53 per cent.
Jews were also the faith group most likely to think of themselves as British at least as much as they valued their religious identity, at 81 per cent.
They were followed second by Muslims, at 73 per cent, and Christians, at 72 per cent.