Key Takeaways
- Nearly half of Britons (47 %) now favour reducing or eliminating immigration from Israel, up eight points from 39 % in 2016.
- The shift is driven mainly by Remain voters, whose opposition to Israeli migrants rose from 27 % to 41 %, while Leave voters’ stance remained steady at about 52 %.
- Leave voters have become markedly more welcoming toward migrants from Poland, France, Germany and Japan, showing a divergent trend on European nationalities.
- Party‑level analysis reveals the strongest anti‑Israeli sentiment among Reform UK and Green supporters (≈52‑53 %), with Labour and Conservative voters in the mid‑to‑high 40 % range and Liberal Democrats the least opposed (~41 %).
- In a broader ranking of opposition, Russia tops the list (58 %), followed by Pakistan (52 %), Nigeria (48 %), Israel (47 %), Egypt and India (44 %), and Turkey (43 %).
Overview of the YouGov Findings
The YouGov poll titled “Britons have a more negative view of immigration in 2026 than in 2016” surveyed a representative sample of the UK public on their preferred migration sources. Respondents were asked to indicate whether they would like to see more, the same, fewer, or no migrants from a list of countries. The results for Israel showed that 23 % favoured fewer migrants and 24 % wanted none, yielding a combined 47 % who support a reduction or cessation of Israeli immigration. This figure represents a notable eight‑point increase from the 39 % recorded in the same question posed in 2016, signalling a hardening of attitudes over the decade.
Overall Trend Across Brexit Camps
When the data were broken down by the 2016 EU referendum vote, the poll found that Remain and Leave voters had generally moved in the same direction regarding most nationalities. In other words, there were few instances where one group became more welcoming while the other grew more hostile toward the same migrant group. This overall conformity suggests that broader societal shifts—such as media coverage, economic anxieties, or geopolitical events—are influencing public opinion across the political divide, at least for many countries.
Exceptions: Remain Voters Growing More Negative Toward Israel and the US
Despite the general convergence, two notable exceptions emerged. Remain voters became significantly more negative toward migrants from the United States and Israel. Between 2016 and 2026, the proportion of Remain supporters who wanted fewer or no Israeli migrants rose from 27 % to 41 %, a 14‑point jump. In contrast, Leave voters’ attitudes toward Israel remained virtually unchanged, hovering around 52 % in both years. A similar pattern appeared for the United States, where Remain voters’ opposition grew while Leave voters’ views stayed flat. These divergences hint at issue‑specific drivers—perhaps linked to foreign‑policy perceptions, cultural narratives, or partisan media consumption—that affect Remain voters more strongly.
Leave Voters’ Increasing Openness to European Migrants
While Leave voters’ stance on Israel stayed steady, they displayed a marked increase in welcoming attitudes toward several European nationalities. The poll recorded substantial growth in support for migrants from Poland, France, Germany, and Japan among Leave supporters. This shift may reflect a re‑orientation of Leave‑aligned concerns toward economic cooperation, historical ties, or a perception that these groups pose less of a cultural or security threat. The contrasting trends—steady hostility to Israel alongside growing openness to fellow Europeans—underscore the nuanced, issue‑by‑issue nature of immigration attitudes within the Leave camp.
Party‑Level Analysis of Anti‑Israeli Sentiment
When respondents were grouped by the party they voted for in the 2024 general election, clear variations emerged. Reform UK and Green Party voters exhibited the highest levels of opposition to Israeli migrants, with roughly 52‑53 % favouring fewer or no arrivals. Labour and Conservative voters sat in the mid‑to‑high 40 % range, indicating substantial but not maximal resistance. Liberal Democrat voters were the least opposed, with only about 41 % supporting a reduction. This gradient suggests that anti‑Israeli sentiment is not confined to a single ideological bloc but is present across the spectrum, albeit with differing intensity.
Broader Context: Israel’s Position Among Other Countries
The poll also placed Israel within a wider ranking of countries according to Britons’ desire to limit immigration. Russia topped the list at 58 % opposition, followed by Pakistan (52 %), Nigeria (48 %), Israel (47 %), Egypt and India (44 %), and Turkey (43 %). Israel’s placement just below Nigeria and above Egypt and India indicates that while concerns about Israeli migration are significant, they are not the strongest among the surveyed nations. The relative positioning may reflect a mix of geopolitical considerations, media portrayals, and domestic demographic factors that shape public perception.
Possible Drivers Behind the Shift
Several factors could explain the growing reluctance to accept Israeli migrants. Heightened coverage of the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, especially during periods of escalation, may have intensified negative perceptions among certain segments of the population. Additionally, debates over foreign aid, defence cooperation, and the UK’s own diplomatic stance toward Israel could influence public sentiment. For Remain voters, whose political outlook often emphasizes multilateralism and human rights, any perceived deviation from those principles might trigger a stronger adverse reaction. Conversely, Leave voters’ steady stance might reflect a more entrenched view that is less responsive to short‑term fluctuations in media narratives.
Implications for Policy and Public Discourse
The findings have practical implications for policymakers and political parties. With nearly half of the electorate favouring curbs on Israeli immigration, any policy proposal that expands visa pathways or relaxes restrictions for Israeli nationals could face notable backlash, particularly from Reform UK, Green, Labour, and Conservative constituencies. Parties seeking to broaden their appeal may need to address these concerns directly, perhaps through clear communication about the economic, cultural, or security benefits of Israeli migration, or by tying any expansion to broader immigration reform packages. Moreover, the divergent trends among Leave voters toward European migrants suggest that nuanced, country‑specific messaging may be more effective than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
Conclusion: A Complex and Evolving Landscape
The YouGov survey reveals a multifaceted picture of British attitudes toward immigration. While overall hostility has risen since 2016, the movement is not uniform across groups or nationalities. The increase in opposition to Israeli migrants—driven largely by Remain voters—highlights how specific geopolitical events can sway public opinion within ideological camps. Simultaneously, Leave voters’ growing openness to certain European migrants illustrates that attitudes can shift in opposite directions depending on the perceived cultural or economic proximity of the source country. Understanding these layers is essential for anyone seeking to navigate or influence the ongoing debate over the UK’s immigration future.