Britons Identify Antisemitism as Major Societal Problem

Six out of every 10 Britons regard antisemitism as a major or significant issue in British society, reveals a fresh YouGov poll conducted following the Golders Green stabbings.

Precisely 63% of those surveyed described prejudice against Jews as a major or significant concern, placing it at the top among the 11 demographic groups examined.

The poll also gauged views on prejudice toward Muslims, transgender individuals, women, disabled people, Black people, Gypsies, Asian people, gay and lesbian people, working-class people, and Christians.

Prejudice against Muslims ranked second at 57%, trailed by concerns over transgender people and women.

Worry about antisemitism proved strongest among white Britons compared to ethnic minorities, and among those aged 50-64 and 65 or older, while it was lowest among 18-24-year-olds.

Every demographic except youth views antisemitism as the biggest issue

Strikingly, young Britons were the sole group more inclined to highlight discrimination against other communities at comparable levels.

Among the youngest respondents, 70% labeled prejudice against Muslims as major or significant, with 61% saying the same for Black people and women, and 60% for transgender people.

All other age groups and demographics pinpointed antisemitism as the foremost problem.

Opinions on antisemitism in political parties showed sharp divides: supporters of left-wing parties in 2024 were quicker to accuse right-wing groups, and the reverse held true.

Even amid recent controversies in the Green Party, just 25% of Britons saw it as having an antisemitism issue, versus 33% for Labour and Reform UK. Far fewer pointed to the Liberal Democrats.

Public perceptions of Islamophobia in parties were clearer-cut, with 47% flagging Reform UK, followed by 27% for the Conservatives, 14% for Labour, 8% for Liberal Democrats, and 6% for Greens.

The Jewish community in the UK has faced a wave of attacks lately, including last month's Golders Green stabbing, the killing of two Jews at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, and several arson incidents aimed at Jewish targets.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated last week that antisemitism "will not be tolerated," pledging additional safeguards for Jewish safety.

"It is not enough to say, 'We stand with Jewish communities,' - of course we do - but we must show it and act on it," he emphasized. "We cannot accept a future where communities feel safe only behind higher walls."