A new survey by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) reveals that four out of five British Jews hold an unfavorable view of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu. The report, titled What do Jews in the UK think about Israel and its leaders, and how has this changed since October 7?, presents a bleak outlook on how the situation in Israel is perceived by British Jews.

Among the key findings, 74% of UK Jews describe Israel’s current situation as "bad" (37%) or "very bad" (37%), a significant increase from the 57% recorded in April/May 2023. Additionally, the report notes that British Jews view the situation in Israel more negatively than Israelis themselves.

The survey, authored by JPR senior research fellow Dr. Carli Lessof and intern Roy Shinar Cohen, was conducted among 4,500 British Jews who were part of the JPR Research Panel and had responded to the June and July 2024 JPR Current Affairs Survey.

The report shows that pessimism among British Jews about Israel’s situation has risen significantly since the October 7 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Full results of the survey are expected to be released in early October to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 events.

The survey highlights that 95% of adult British Jews have an opinion on Netanyahu, making him the most recognized leader in the study. Of those, 80% hold an unfavorable opinion, with 65% "strongly disapproving" and 15% "somewhat disapproving."

Respondents were also asked about other Israeli politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and former Deputy Prime Minister Benny Gantz. The report shows high disapproval for Smotrich (-78%) and Ben-Gvir (-77%), with Netanyahu receiving a -68% approval rating.

Lapid (+12%) and Gantz (+10%) were the only leaders with positive net ratings, and Lapid was the only one showing an increase in approval compared to data before October 7.

The survey also found political divisions among British Jews, with those leaning right more likely to approve of Netanyahu than those on the left. Men and members of the Strictly Orthodox community were more likely to have favorable views of Netanyahu and Smotrich, while left-leaning Jews, women, and members of Progressive synagogues were more likely to have negative views of Israel’s leadership.

JPR executive director Dr. Jonathan Boyd noted that while the UK’s Jewish community maintains strong ties to Israel, the events of the past year have deepened concerns about its political leadership. He emphasized that the growing disapproval of Netanyahu and his hard-right coalition members, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, signals a shift in British Jewry’s relationship with Israel.

More findings from the JPR Jewish Current Affairs Survey, set to be published in October, will explore how British Jews’ political views on Israel are evolving, their sense of security post-October 7, and the impact of the war on their attachment to Israel and Jewish life in the UK.

These insights will also feature in a new season of the JPR/JW3 Jews Do Count podcast, launching in early October on major podcast platforms. Photo by U.S. Department of State from United States, Wikimedia commons.