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Nearly 80 percent of Britons see Israel as a threat to world peace
A NatCen survey found that 78 per cent of Britons now see Israel as a serious threat to world peace, up from 48 per cent in 2005. The result comes amid Israel’s war in Gaza and recent Israeli and US attacks on Iran, and reflects a marked shift in British public opinion.
The article also cites a July YouGov poll in which 17 per cent of respondents said Israel was not committing genocide in Gaza. It links the conflict involving Iran to higher UK household costs for energy, food and mortgages, and says the Bank of England raised its base rate from 3.75 to 4 per cent, its first increase in more than three years.
In short
- 78 per cent of Britons see Israel as a serious threat to world peace.
- The share has risen from 48 per cent in 2005.
- Higher interest rates add pressure to household borrowing costs.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those who see Israel as a serious threat to world peace may point to the scale of destruction and civilian suffering in Gaza, the widening regional conflict and the recent attacks involving Iran as evidence that Israeli policy risks deepening instability. The sharp rise in British respondents holding this view may reflect concern that these actions undermine prospects for a durable settlement and have consequences beyond the region.
The case against
Those who reject that assessment may argue that Israel faces genuine security threats, including attacks by Hamas and Iran, and that military action is intended to protect its population rather than threaten world peace. They may also caution that a public-opinion survey records perceptions, not a definitive judgement of responsibility, and that the article’s account of economic effects does not by itself establish that Israel is the cause.
Explained simply
Israel is a country in the Middle East, where long-running disputes over land and security have involved Palestinians and neighbouring states. Since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023, Israel has fought a war in Gaza, a Palestinian territory; the conflict has caused widespread destruction and civilian deaths.
Iran is another major Middle Eastern country and a longstanding rival of Israel. Tensions have included attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, as well as Iranian support for armed groups in the region. These conflicts matter beyond the region because they can affect international security and disrupt energy supplies and trade, with possible effects on prices and borrowing costs in the UK.