UK Poll Finds Israel Perceived as Greater Threat Than North Korea
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
A UK poll by NatCen reveals 78% of Britons now see Israel as a threat to world order, surpassing North Korea and second only to Russia. This perception is linked to Israel's role in Middle East conflicts and destruction in Gaza. Views vary by political affiliation and age, with younger Britons and left-leaning voters expressing higher concern.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 78% of Britons surveyed consider Israel a serious threat to world order, according to a NatCen poll.
- Israel now ranks higher as a perceived threat than North Korea, which 66% identified as dangerous.
- Russia is seen as the greatest threat by 89% of respondents, followed by Iran and the United States.
- The poll links negative perceptions of Israel to its involvement in Middle East conflicts and Gaza's destruction.
- Younger Britons and supporters of left-leaning parties are more likely to view Israel and the US as threats.
A new poll by the UK's National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) indicates a significant shift in British public perception, with 78% of respondents now viewing Israel as a serious threat to world order. This figure has risen sharply from 48% twenty years ago and increased by 10% in the past year alone. Consequently, Israel has surpassed North Korea, deemed a threat by 66% of those surveyed, in perceived danger. Russia remains the top perceived threat at 89%, followed by Iran (75%), the United States (74%), China (62%), and Saudi Arabia (34%). The poll suggests the declining perception of Israel is linked to its involvement in recent Middle East conflicts and the extensive destruction in Gaza. Experts note fluctuations in public opinion, with a peak in concern in autumn 2024, a subsequent dip, and another rise in spring 2026 following a bombing campaign against Iran. Researchers believe the British public fears a escalation of local conflicts into a wider regional crisis that could destabilize the global situation. Political affiliation and age also influence views, with supporters of the Conservative and Reform parties less likely to see Israel and the US as threats compared to Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green voters, though they express greater concern about China, North Korea, and Iran. Younger Britons, in particular, are significantly more likely to perceive Israel and the US as sources of danger, reflecting a potential change in traditional views of allied nations.
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