Nearly four in five Britons now consider Israel a serious threat to world peace, according to a new report, placing it above Iran, the United States and China.
The findings, published by the National Centre for Social Research in November 2026, show that 78% of Britons regard Israel as a serious threat to global peace over the next decade.
This represents a significant increase from 48% in 2005 and comes amid Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza and escalating conflict across the Middle East.
The report, titled BSA: A More Dangerous World, was written by Sophia Gaston of King’s College London and examines changing British attitudes towards international security, defence and foreign relations.
The findings suggest a major shift in how the British public views Israel, particularly since the beginning of its military offensive in Gaza in October 2023.
In 2005, fewer than half of Britons considered Israel a serious threat to world peace. By autumn 2024, that figure had risen to 73%, however, the latest survey, conducted in spring 2026, recorded a further increase to 78%, the highest figure for Israel in the report’s historical comparisons.
Gaston wrote: “Israel’s reputation, too, has seemingly suffered from its involvement in recent Middle East conflict.”
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
The report identifies Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the expansion of hostilities involving Iran as important developments shaping the international security landscape. Israel’s ruthless bombardment of Gaza has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, displaced 98% of the population and destroyed large areas of civilian infrastructure.
The conflict has also spread beyond Gaza, with direct military exchanges between Israel and Iran, alongside American military intervention.
Researchers suggest that public concern may extend beyond Israel’s actions in Gaza to fears that its military operations could trigger a wider regional war.
Political divisions over Israel
Perceptions of Israel also varied considerably depending on political affiliation.
Green Party supporters were the most likely to view Israel as a serious threat, at 88%, followed by Labour supporters at 84%. The figure stood at 79% among Liberal Democrats. Unsurprisingly those affiliated with the right wing had the lowest percentage with 70% among Conservatives and 62% among Reform UK supporters.
These differences were particularly noticeable when comparing attitudes towards Israel and Iran. While 88% of Green supporters considered Israel a serious threat, only 54% said the same about Iran. Among Reform UK supporters, the pattern was reversed, with 89% viewing Iran as a serious threat compared with 62% for Israel.
The findings highlight how political affiliation continues to shape British attitudes towards conflicts in the Middle East.
Traditional allies now viewed alongside Iran
One of the most striking findings is how closely Britain’s traditional allies, Israel and the United States, rank alongside Iran in public perceptions of global threats.
Britain has maintained close diplomatic, military and intelligence relationships with both Israel and the US for decades. Iran, meanwhile, has long been portrayed by successive British governments and much of the Western media as a major security threat, particularly over its nuclear programme and regional activities.
In 2024, approximately 35% held the US to be a threat. By spring 2026, the figure had more than doubled to 74%. The percentage of those concerned about Iran sits at 75%. The report also found that people who viewed Israel as a threat were more likely to express similar concerns about the United States.
This means Israel, a long-standing British ally, was considered a greater threat to world peace than Iran, a country frequently presented as one of the West’s main adversaries.
Russia remained the country viewed as the greatest threat overall, with 89% of respondents expressing concern, reflecting continued fears surrounding its invasion of Ukraine and wider European security.
The findings suggest that traditional distinctions between allies and adversaries are becoming increasingly blurred in the eyes of the British public. Researchers linked this shift to President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, including disputes with NATO allies and American military action alongside Israel against Iran.
This suggests that Britain’s traditional allies are increasingly being judged by their military and foreign policy decisions rather than their longstanding relationships with the UK. The findings point to a substantial deterioration in Israel’s reputation among the British public, with the Gaza war and growing instability across the Middle East identified as possible contributing factors.
