British Jews have become more attached to Israel in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks, although a minority say the war in Gaza has weakened their connection with the Jewish state, according to a new report.
The percentage who said they were very or somewhat attached to Israel rose from 73 per cent in 2022 to 78 per cent in summer this year — and 47 per cent felt more attached after October 7 compared with 19 per cent who said they had become less attached.
The report’s author Jonathan Boyd, executive director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR), wrote: “Whilst many express criticism of how the Israeli government has prosecuted the war and handled the hostage crisis, there is also a sense that for most, Israel matters more to them now than it did prior to October 7.”
A year after October 7: British Jewish views on Israel, antisemitism and Jewish life, Institute for Jewish Policy Research
But two out of five UK Jews believed that Israel’s conduct of the war clashed with their Jewish values, compared with 51 per cent who did not.
Close to two-thirds (62 per cent) felt the Israeli government had not done enough to release the hostages, and over half (52 per cent) not enough to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans.
Most Jews said they had felt ashamed of Israel at some point since October 7 — 31 per cent very or somewhat and 25 per cent a little, but more also felt proud of the country — 54 very or somewhat and 18 per cent a little.
Overall, the report found “a small but notable shift in British Jewish sentiment towards Israel – higher levels of emotional attachment, increased importance of it as a component of contemporary Jewishness, and greater prioritisation of it as a charitable cause”.
But the past year has left many feeling less hopeful and more insecure. Almost six in ten — 59 per cent agreed that “public and media criticism of Israel make me feel Jews are not welcome in the UK.”
Belief in the possibility of a two-state solution has slumped from 77 per cent in 2010 (with only 15 per cent against) to 54 per cent in 2024 (compared with 33 per cent against).
And over the same period, faith in the health of Israeli democracy plummeted from 80 per cent to 52 per cent.
Most believed the IDF had acted within the bounds of international law — 57 per cent compared with 36 per cent who did not; but more felt that Israel’s army had not done enough to protect Palestinians civilians — 48 per cent compared to 45 per cent who thought it had.
from A year after October 7: British Jewish views on Israel, antisemitism and Jewish life, Institute for Jewish Policy Research
Denominational differences clearly influence attitudes. “As a general rule, mainstream and strictly Orthodox Jews tend to hold more favourable views of the Israeli government and military, compared to progressive or unaffiliated Jews, and also tend to be rather more politically hawkish,” JPR noted.
While Jews had generally indicated a preference for Labour than Conservative in this year’s general election, nevertheless they had “considerably more confidence” in the Conservatives than Labour on antisemitism and Middle East issues.
On a scale of 0 to 10, 46 per cent gave a trust rating of over 5 for the Conservatives compared with 37 per cent for Labour for combating antisemitism; while on the Middle East, the Conservatives enjoyed a 49 per cent score compared with just 28 per cent for Labour.
many British Jews feel somewhat under siege
More than 4,600 UK Jews were sampled by JPR in June and July this year.
One striking finding is that the vast majority — 81 per cent — believed they were held responsible for Israel’s actions by non-Jews (compared to 66 per cent in 2010).
A higher proportion now felt attached to the Jewish community — 67 per cent, compared with 61 per cent two years ago. And nearly two in five (39 per cent) reported feeling closer to Jewish friends, while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) less close to non-Jewish friends over the past year.
Dr Boyd observed, “Due in large part to the ways in which Israel, the war and the wider conflict have been reported, represented and discussed in public forums, many British Jews feel somewhat under siege – that they are living in a country that feels like a more hostile, less understanding and accommodating place than most have ever previously experienced.
“As a result, they are turning inwards – seeking out the solidarity that comes from Jewish friends and community.”
Although there were reports of higher synagogue attendance in the intermediate aftermath of October 7, the trend “does not seem to have prevailed over time in a significant way”.
The proportion who felt there was a good likelihood of them making aliyah in the next five years rose from 10 per cent in 2022 to 14 per cent this year.
“On the one hand, the level of migration to Israel from the UK for the nine months following October 7 is up by 18 per cent on the equivalent nine-month period in 2022/23, but it is also down by 19 per cent on the equivalent period for 2021/22,” the report noted.
JPR found a slight increase in the percentage of UK Jews who identified as Zionist — up from 63 per cent two years ago to 65 per cent; but also in those who identified as anti-Zionist — up from eight to ten per cent — or non-Zionist - up from 15 per cent to 18 per cent.
Most Jews believed that pro-Palestinian demonstrations should be allowed to take place — 72 per cent against 25 per cent who did not — although two-thirds (66 per cent) said they would avoid city centres where such protests were being staged.
More than three-quarters (79 per cent) considered the slogan “Globalise the intifada” antisemitic, as did 76 per cent for the chant “From the river to the sea” and 61 per cent for claims that Israel was committing genocide.
More than three in five Jews (61 per cent) believed that universities were “not safe spaces for Jewish students”.
