A new opinion poll reveals that 38 per cent of people believe Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite, while 25 per cent believe he is a committed campaigner against racism and antisemitism.
Populus surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2035 GB adults from 5-7 October 2018 on behalf of BICOM. The annual survey asks questions about countries in the Middle East with specific questions about trade, counterterrorism and support for a boycott of Israel.
Each year the survey includes a new question on a topical issue and this year BICOM measured support for Jeremy Corbyn’s own explanations in light of accusations of antisemitism.
- 25 per cent agreed with the statement ‘Jeremy Corbyn is a committed campaigner against racism of all kinds including antisemitism.’
- 38 per cent agreed with the statement ‘Whatever Jeremy Corbyn claims, his actions and past history point to him being antisemitic.’
- 19 per cent agreed with the statement ‘Jeremy Corbyn has worked hard to deliver peace between Israel and the Palestinians.’
- 35 per cent agreed with the statement ‘Jeremy Corbyn only seems interested in talking to those organisations deemed to be terrorists by the British Government, the EU and the US State Department.’
BICOM CEO James Sorene said:
“We were interested to measure support for Jeremy Corbyn’s own explanations for his conduct after accusations of antisemitism. The results are clear – 38 per cent of people believe that Jeremy Corbyn is an antisemite. It is also worth noting that the poll was carried out when this issue was no longer being reported in the news.”
Other key findings from the report include:
· Forty seven per cent of respondents believe that “hating Israel and questioning its right to exist” is antisemitic. Twenty per cent of people disagree with this statement.
· Saudi Arabia is considered to be the most important UK trading partner in the Middle East after Brexit, Qatar is second and Israel is third.
· 49 per cent of people believe Israel is an important British ally in the fight against terror, more than any other Middle Eastern country in the survey.
- 20 per cent of people felt warm towards Israel and 23 per cent warm towards Israelis.
- 11 per cent felt warm towards the Palestinian Authority and 23 per cent felt warm towards Palestinians.
- Forty eight per cent of respondents “do not support boycotts of Israel and find it difficult to understand how others do given everything else that is going on in the world” a one per cent increase since last year. 14 per cent disagree with the statement, a 3 per cent increase since last year.
- Young people have significantly reduced their level of support for a boycott of Israel since 2015. 45 per cent of 18-24s said they opposed singling out Israel for boycotts, in 2015 just 28 per cent opposed a boycott of Israel.
James Sorene added:
“The poll results about Israel and the Palestinians are largely unchanged since last year. Israel and the Palestinians have similar levels of support and opposition to boycotts of Israel remains high at 48 per cent. Saudi Arabia remains the most important trading partner after Brexit but Israel has moved up to third place at 38 per cent.
“45 per cent of young people aged 18-24 continue to oppose boycotts of Israel, continuing the significant shift in opinion from 2015 when only 28 per cent opposed boycotts.”
On behalf of BICOM Populus surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2035 GB adults from 5-7 October 2018. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For more information: www.populus.co.uk. Full results and graphics can be read here: http://www.bicom.org.uk/analysis/bicom-populus-poll-uk-attitudes-israel-middle-east-issues/