Survey reveals sharp decline in UK Jewish support for independent Palestine

Support among British Jews for a two-state solution, envisioning an independent Palestine alongside Israel, has dropped below half for the first time, according to a recent survey seen by The Times.

The poll, conducted by Jewish Policy Research (JPR) in June and July among more than 4,800 UK Jews, found that backing for the two-state solution fell to 49 per cent, down from 54 per cent in 2024 and 78 per cent in 2010.

While an independent Palestinian state remains the most preferred outcome, the survey reveals growing scepticism: 41 per cent of respondents rejected the idea that a two-state solution is the only path to peace, while the remainder were unsure or offered no opinion. Specifically, when asked if “a two-state solution is the only way Israel will achieve peace with its neighbours in the Middle East,” only 17 per cent strongly agreed and 32 per cent tended to agree—a sharp decline from the even 78 per cent agreement recorded in 2010.

The survey also highlights deepening pessimism about coexistence. Half of British Jews believe that Israel and an independent Palestinian state cannot coexist peacefully, while just 21 per cent see such a possibility.

Analysts at JPR described this as “a dramatic change of faith by British Jews in a proposal that has been the bedrock of Western policy on Israel-Palestine for decades.” They suggested that the brutal October 7 attacks may have shattered confidence in the feasibility of peaceful coexistence, with many now seeing the security risks for Israel as too high.

Support for Israel assuming full control of Gaza remains low at 19 per cent, though slightly up from 16 per cent last year. Meanwhile, some Jewish community groups in the UK have expressed concern that the British government’s anticipated recognition of Palestine could reduce pressure on Hamas to release the remaining Israeli hostages and might be perceived as rewarding the October 7 attacks.

The findings come as the UK prepares to recognise Palestinian statehood, a move expected to be announced soon by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The JPR report, due for publication later this week, reflects shifting attitudes within the Jewish community as geopolitical tensions escalate.

The UK’s senior religious leaders have also weighed in. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, issued a rare joint statement condemning the Israeli offensive in Gaza City.

“This deadly escalation is futile and must stop,” they said, urging Hamas to release the remaining hostages while warning that continued attacks will only worsen the humanitarian crisis for families already malnourished and traumatised.

In response to the conflict, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, together with their counterparts in Australia and Canada, called on their governments to maintain international pressure to secure the return of all hostages, disarm Hamas, and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza without being diverted to serve Hamas’s interests.

They warned that recognising a Palestinian state while Hamas remains armed and in control would constitute a betrayal of Palestinians living under Hamas rule.

By Tamilla Hasanova