Still, more UK support Jews still back a two-state (49 per cent) than oppose it (41 per cent); a year ago, a third opposed it while only 15 per cent rejected the idea in 2010.
[Missing Credit]
Whereas nearly half of UK Jews 15 years ago believed most Palestinians wanted peace (47 per cent), the figure dropped to 36 per cent this year.
The poll results show marked differences among age-groups and denominations.
A two-state solution is backed by only 15 per cent of strictly Orthodox (with 76 per against), and 41 per cent of modern Orthodox (with 49 per cent against). However, among Progressive Jews, the two states idea is favoured by 62 per cent (with 29 per cent against) and 51 per cent of secular or unaffiliated Jews (with 39 per cent against).
Only the 70-plus age group retain a majority of two-state supporters – 55 per cent. The lowest support comes from within the 16- to 29-year-olds – 41 per cent – where the data suggests a swing towards a one-state solution.
The young are, JPR says, “notably more likely than their elders to self-identify as anti-Zionist, and more likely to endorse bi-nationalism, which more than two in five support”.
An initial analysis “appears to indicate that the repercussions of the October 7 attacks may be prompting a growing proportion of them to develop a very different outlook about Israel and the prospects for peace with the Palestinians, when compared to the older generations.”
Among the 30- to 69-year-olds support for a two-state is at 49 per cent.
According to a political breakdown, Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters both retain strong belief in two states – at 76 per cent (with 16 per cent of Labour voters and 19 per cent of LibDems against). But on the right, the trend is reversed with a minority of Conservatives in favour – 36 per cent (and 56 per cent against) – along with just 22 per of Reform voters (and 73 per cent against).
Only a minority of Greens (38 per cent) still support two states (with 53 per cent against) - which indicates support for a single state.
Fewer than one in five British Jews (19 per cent) support an Israeli takeover of Gaza.
The survey was based on 4,822 responses JPR received from its research panel.
JPR executive director Jonathan Boyd, the report’s author commented, "It is clear that support for the two-state solution among British Jews has fallen dramatically in recent times.
"However, the reasons for that vary: they likely include increased security concerns in light of the October 7 attacks, ideological opposition to the idea, lack of faith variously in Israeli and Palestinian leadership, lack of trust in the Palestinian people, and indeed
emerging discussions about, or commitments to, alternative solutions. Whatever the underlying reasons, at the same moment the British Government stands poised to recognise a Palestinian state, it seems that support for such a state among British Jews is at an all-time low.”
British Jews, he said, were “living through a highly turbulent, emotionally challenging and psychologically traumatic period, with
events in Israel and antisemitism in the UK placing a significant strain on their lives. It is important to set the results in this report in that context.”
