Full Breakdown
Britons’ Growing Opposition to Israeli Immigration in 2026 Survey
8/11/2026, 8:56:58 PM
Shift in Public Attitudes
A YouGov poll conducted on June 8-9 2026 shows that 47 percent of respondents want fewer or no migrants from Israel, up from 39 percent in the 2016 survey. The same poll indicates a broader rise in negative views of immigration, with almost half of Britons now favoring reduced or halted immigration from Israel—the highest level of opposition among the 22 nationalities surveyed.
Survey Findings and Comparative Numbers
Respondents were asked whether migrants from each country should be allowed to come in greater numbers, at current levels, in lower numbers, or not at all. For Israel, 5 percent favored increased immigration, 24 percent preferred the status quo, 23 percent wanted fewer Israeli migrants, and 24 percent wanted none, yielding a combined negative figure of 47 percent.
By contrast, the poll recorded strong support for migrants from majority-white Western nations: 23 percent wanted more immigration from Ireland and Canada, and 22 percent favored more from Australia.
Opposition was highest for Russia (58 percent), followed by Pakistan (52 percent), Nigeria (48 percent), Israel (47 percent), Egypt and India (44 percent each), and Turkey (43 percent).
The survey also noted a sharp decline in opposition to Polish migrants, falling from 42 percent in 2016 to 26 percent in 2026, and reduced hostility toward migrants from France (19 percent opposition), Germany (16 percent), and Sweden (13 percent).
Political and Demographic Breakdown
Remainers have become more negative toward migrants from the United States and Israel, while Leave voters show little change on those nationalities. Among party affiliates, Reform UK and Green voters expressed the strongest opposition to Israeli immigration (approximately 52-53 percent), Labour and Conservative voters were in the mid-to-high 40s, and Liberal Democrat voters were the least opposed at around 41 percent.
Leave voters, in particular, are now 25 percentage points less likely to want fewer Polish migrants and also show reduced hostility toward French, German, and Japanese migrants.
Context and Possible Drivers
The poll was conducted against the backdrop of the Gaza conflict, which has damaged Israel’s international image. However, the questionnaire did not ask respondents why they held their views, so it cannot be confirmed whether the Gaza war, broader perceptions of Israel, or general immigration concerns are driving the heightened opposition.
The same data suggest that successful integration of large Polish communities and the absence of prominent anti-Turkish campaigning have contributed to more welcoming attitudes toward those groups.
Implications for the Immigration Debate
The heightened opposition to Israeli migrants, alongside shifting attitudes toward other nationalities, may influence public discourse and policy considerations ahead of future elections. Political parties will likely need to address these nuanced preferences, balancing security, humanitarian, and economic arguments while acknowledging that public sentiment on immigration remains fluid and shaped by both geopolitical events and domestic integration experiences.
