A YouGov poll indicates that nearly half of the British public favors restricting Israeli migration, ranking the group as the second least wanted behind Russians.

A recent YouGov study reveals that nearly half of Britons support allowing fewer or no Israeli migrants into the United Kingdom. The findings rank Israelis as the second most unwanted migrant group in Britain, surpassed only by Russians in terms of negative public sentiment. The data highlights a broader trend of hardening British public opinion toward Israel, coinciding with a period of strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Public Sentiment and Migration Preferences

According to the poll, only one in 20 Britons favor increasing the number of Israeli migrants allowed into the country. Specifically, 23 percent of respondents stated the UK should allow fewer Israeli migrants, while 24 percent argued that none should be permitted. In contrast, 24 percent of the public believe the current number of Israeli residents is appropriate, and 23 percent expressed uncertainty. The study noted that groups including Pakistanis, Indians, Turks, Egyptians, and Nigerians rank higher in popularity than Israelis, though the survey identified a general rise in anti-immigration sentiment compared to similar data from 2016.

Diplomatic Tensions and Political Rhetoric

The polling data arrives as the British government prepares to announce new policies regarding Israel in September, including a reported ban on goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements. Diplomatic relations have reached a low point following comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who referred to Britain as an "Islamic republic" during an interview. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the remarks as "completely unacceptable." Public opposition to Israel's actions has been documented previously, with a June 2024 YouGov study finding that 55 percent of the British public opposed Israel's actions in Gaza.