Most Brits think UK should ‘not take responsibility’ for solving Israel-Palestine conflict
YouGov survey claims there is a lack of understanding about the Middle East, and that 53 percent of people support recognition of Palestine
A majority of Brits think the UK should not try to help solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but a similar majority think the UK should recognise Palestine as a state, according to the findings of a YouGov survey.
The poll, commissioned by the Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU) and the Arab News newspaper, surveyed 2,142 people in August.
It showed a lack of tolerance for Arab and Muslim refugees, with 55 percent supporting racial profiling of Arabs and Muslims for security reasons and seven in ten arguing that the UK should take less refugees from Syria and Iraq.
The poll also should a huge lack of understanding about the Arab world in general, with eight out of ten respondents saying they knew little or nothing about the region, and 37 percent saying Israel was part of the Arab world.
Despite the fact that most were unfamiliar with the region, however, 53 percent said Britain should recognise Palestine as a state, while 55 percent said that “in view of its historic role… Britain should not take responsibility in helping sort out the Israeli-Palestinian conflict now”.
The survey found that supporters of Labour or the Liberal Democrats were almost twice as likely to hold Britain responsible for the conflict as Conservatives. Likewise, more educated respondents were more likely to feel the UK ought to step in.
“Considering the enormous importance of the Arab world to Britain, it is alarming that 81 percent of the British population say they know little or nothing about this vital region,” said CAABU director Chris Doyle. “At a time when mutual understanding is more needed than ever, this chasm must be addressed.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
