80% of Britons View Israel as a Threat to World Peace

Seventy-eight percent of UK citizens view Israel as a serious threat to world peace, according to a new survey by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). In 2005, 48 percent of British citizens held a similar view.

These findings were highlighted in a report by the Middle East-based news outlet *Middle East Eye* on Tuesday (November 10). Data from NatCen’s 'British Social Attitudes' (BSA) survey indicates a significant shift in British perceptions of Israel, set against the backdrop of recent conflicts in the Middle East.

The survey reveals that in the autumn of 2024, nearly two-thirds of British citizens considered Israel a serious threat to world peace. Following attacks by Israel and the United States in Iran this spring, that figure rose to 78 percent.

Meanwhile, another public opinion poll—conducted by YouGov last July at the request of the Council for British-Arab Understanding (Caabu)—also reflects a negative sentiment toward Israel. In that survey, only 17 percent of participants believed that Israel was not committing genocide in Gaza.

Impact of the Iran Conflict on the British Economy

The economic repercussions of the Middle East conflict have also become a subject of discussion in the UK. Rising fuel prices, in particular, are increasing the cost of living for ordinary citizens, affecting expenses such as electricity and energy bills.

Against this backdrop, the Bank of England raised interest rates from 3.75 percent to 4 percent on November 5. This marks the first time the central bank has opted to increase interest rates since August 2023.

According to the Bank of England, the conflict in the Middle East has driven up fuel prices, creating inflationary pressure in the UK. Inflation reached 3.5 percent in September, and the central bank forecasts that it could climb to approximately 5 percent by mid-2027. Raising interest rates could place the burden of additional installment payments on mortgage borrowers. At the same time, the cost of taking out new loans may also increase.

Sources: Middle East Eye, National Centre for Social Research, and the Bank of England.