Amid the backdrop of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, a new poll has revealed that 45% of the British public believe Israel treats Palestinians like the Nazis treated the Jews.
The YouGov survey, commissioned by the pro-Israel Campaign Against Antisemitism, reports that this figure is a huge increase from last year’s 33%.
Sixty per cent of young people believe this to be true, and 48% of Londoners believe it too.
The survey results come amid the backdrop of Israel’s genocide in Gaza where at least 65,000 people have been killed, 90% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, and where Israel is currently implementing a starvation policy.
Other key findings from the survey include:
- Almost half (49%) of 18-24-year-olds are uncomfortable spending time with people who openly support Israel; only 18% are comfortable.
- Only 31% of young voters agree that Israel has a right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people; 20% (one fifth) of them say that it does not.
- 58% of young people believe that Israel and its supporters are a bad influence on our democracy, compared to 29% of the overall population.
- Over a quarter (26%) of the British public believes that Israel can get away with anything because its supporters control the media, up considerably from 18% last year. Among young people, the figure skyrockets to 42%.
- 10% of young people have a favourable view of Hamas, and 14% of them believe it is wrong to class Hamas as terrorists.
- Almost one fifth – 19% – of young people believe that the Hamas attack on Israel on 7th October 2023 was justified.
- The country is divided on the pro Palestine marches: 29% view them positively and 32% – a slight plurality – view them negatively.
The survey of British adults was conducted by YouGov with a sample size of 2,245 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st – 2nd September and the survey was carried out online.
Israel’s brutal actions in Gaza
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Over the past year, Israel has launched widespread airstrikes and ground incursions across Gaza, including in densely populated areas like Gaza City, Khan Younis and Rafah.
It expanded operations into Rafah despite international warnings of humanitarian consequences due to the area’s overcrowding with displaced civilians. The operation displaced 1.2 million people and involved heavy bombardment.
Israel’s blockade, reimposed fully in March 2025 after a temporary ceasefire, has restricted food, water and medical supplies, leading to widespread starvation. Famine was confirmed in Gaza City by August 2025. Malnutrition rates among children have doubled, with 96% of Gaza’s 1 million children malnourished.
Israel has been accused of targeting aid infrastructure and civilians seeking aid. Hospitals, such as Kamal Adwan and Nasser Children’s Hospital, have been attacked or rendered non-functional, with only 17 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals partially operational by late 2024.
Multiple human rights organisations and international bodies have accused Israel of committing war crimes and genocide.
In a December 2024 report, Amnesty concluded that Israel’s actions meet the criteria for genocide under the Genocide Convention, citing intentional killings, serious bodily harm, and conditions aimed at the physical destruction of Palestinians. The report points to dehumanising statements by Israeli officials and the systematic destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
At least 192 journalists have been killed, surpassing the toll of the Vietnam War, with Israel accused of targeting media workers.
On the other hand, a spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Our country is clearly at a tipping point. These are the highest antisemitism figures that we have ever recorded, having doubled in less than five years. Our young people are being radicalised into adopting hateful ideologies before our eyes.
“Britain will lose its soul to extremists unless the silent majority wakes up. The public recognises that racism against Jewish people has skyrocketed, but the authorities have abysmally failed to rise to the occasion. Politicians, police and prosecutors, regulators, media organisations, cultural institutions, universities, trade unions – they are all complicit in the creation of a climate of hatred in Britain. Jews may feel it most sharply now, but for all of us, this is not the country that we used to know. Soon it will be too late for our country to change course.”
