A plurality (37%) of Britons support British actors, dancers and musicians performing in Israel, but a considerable percentage (27%) are also in favour of British entertainers boycotting the country, according to our poll commissioned by the Jewish Chronicle.
The poll found that:
- 37% of UK adults believe British entertainers should be willing to perform in Israel
- 27% believe they should not
- 36% say they don’t know
Political differences
Support for British artists performing in Israel was highest amongst Conservative party supporters, while those intending to vote Labour and Liberal Democrat were more divided on the issue.
- 50% of Tory supporters believe British entertainers should be willing to perform in Israel, while 24% were opposed
- 33% of Labour Party voters were supportive, while nearly as many 31% were in favour of British performers boycotting the country
- Amongst Liberal Democrats, 33% were in favour of British entertainers performing in Israel, and slightly more (36%) were opposed
Israeli performers welcome in UK
When asked if Israeli actors, dancers and musicians should be welcome to perform in Britain (even if they receive a subsidy from the Israeli government), the public were more decisive in their support. A majority (53%) say Israeli performers should be welcome to perform in Britain, while only 17% believe they should not be welcome. This majority view was held across political persuasions, but was slightly lower for Labour voters (54%) than for Tories and Lib Dems (61%).
See the full results here
