YouGov Poll: Nearly Half of Britons Want Fewer or No Israeli Immigrants

Nearly half of Britons—specifically 47%—support reducing or entirely banning Israeli immigrants from entering the United Kingdom, according to a YouGov poll titled “Britons have a more negative view of immigration in 2026 than in 2016.” Published in August 2026, the survey highlights a significant eight-point increase in opposition compared to a similar study conducted a decade prior.

Shifting Public Sentiments Across Political Lines

The YouGov data reveals complex shifts across the British political landscape regarding migrant nationalities. According to findings published by the Jerusalem Post, the overall opposition breaks down into distinct demographic and political groupings. When respondents were asked which countries the UK should allow fewer or more migrants from, 23% favored less immigration from Israel, while 24% stated there should be none at all.

This 47% combined total reflects a notable climb from the 39% recorded in 2016. Among political parties based on 2024 voting behavior, the highest levels of negative sentiment toward Israeli immigrants appear among Reform UK and Green voters, hovering around 52% to 53%. Meanwhile, Labour and Conservative voters register in the mid-to-high 40s, and Liberal Democrat voters stand lowest at approximately 41%.

The Brexit Division and Changing Remain Views

The polling data also tracks how voters from opposing sides of the 2016 Brexit referendum have evolved. While Leave and Remain voters generally shifted their attitudes in parallel directions across most nationalities, a striking exception emerged regarding the United States and Israel.

According to the survey details, Remain voters have grown markedly more critical of migrants arriving from the US and Israel. The share of Remain voters wanting fewer or more restricted migrants from Israel rose sharply from 27% in 2016 to 41% in 2026. Conversely, Leave voters maintained a steady high baseline of opposition regarding Israeli migration, with 52% favoring reductions in both 2016 and 2026, even as those same Leave voters grew substantially more welcoming toward certain European and Asian nationalities.

Broader Context of Global Immigration Opposition

Public sentiment regarding specific nationalities forms part of a wider tapestry of migration skepticism documented in the 2026 survey. Across all surveyed countries of origin, Russia recorded the highest combined opposition at 58%, followed by Pakistan at 52% and Nigeria at 48%. Israel ranked fourth at 47%, standing ahead of Egypt and India at 44% and Turkey at 43%.