The poll commissioned by a counter-extremism think tank revealed concerning sentiments among British Muslims regarding Hamas. According to the survey, 46 percent of British Muslims sympathize with Hamas, while a staggering 75 percent do not believe the Islamic terrorist organization committed murder or rape during the October 7 massacre in Israel. Additionally, 39 percent of respondents claimed Hamas did not commit any atrocities on that day.
Conducted six months after the attack, this survey represents the largest of its kind since October 7. It focused on British Muslims and the general public, with questions commissioned by the Henry Jackson Society and conducted by JL Partners. Sampling 1,000 representative British Muslims and 2,013 UK adults, the survey revealed alarming views within the community, with a margin of error of 3.1% and 2.2% respectively.
Regarding attitudes towards Jews, the survey found that 46 percent of British Muslims believe Jews have excessive influence over the UK government, while 41 percent think they wield too much power in the media industry. Additionally, 39 percent perceive Jews as having excessive influence in UK finance. Moreover, a third of British Muslims expressed a desire for Shariah law implementation in the UK.
A Recent Poll Shows That 46% of British Muslims Say They Sympathize With Hamas Terrorists (Credits: i24News)
Fiyaz Mughal, founder of interfaith groups including Tell Mama and Muslims Against Anti-Semitism, described the results as both “shocking but also not shocking,” emphasizing the need to address deep-rooted anti-Semitic tropes within the community. Mughal highlighted the urgency for informed discourse and proactive measures to challenge such attitudes.
In response, a UK Government spokesperson emphasized recent measures aimed at promoting social cohesion and countering religious hatred. The government plans to address community divisions and safeguard democratic freedoms across the country. However, these findings underscore the necessity for robust education and intervention to combat extremist ideologies and foster inclusive societies.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 citizens and the kidnapping of 253 individuals, with 134 still held captive.
