Poll Finds 1 in 4 Muslims Believe Hamas Responsible for Murder and Rape in Israel
Results also suggest that one in three Muslims in the UK would like to see sharia law implemented, and half want to ban displaying pictures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Only one in four Muslims in the UK believes Hamas committed murder and rape in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, according to a survey.
The survey, which involved asking 1,000 British Muslims and over 2,000 members of the public questions about the Israel–Hamas war, sharia law, and religion, also indicates that one in three British Muslims sees it as desirable to have sharia law implemented in the UK.
The Henry Jackson Society (HJS), a defense and foreign affairs think tank that conducted the poll, revealed that almost half of British Muslims would support removing an MP if their stance on the Israel–Palestine conflict differed from theirs.
The think tank also highlighted that extreme views are more prevalent among the youngest age group of 18-34, graduates of all ages (compared to non-graduates), and British-born Muslims rather than foreign-born ones, indicating that British integration policies may need urgent revision.
Israel declared war on Hamas on Oct. 8, 2023, following a terrorist attack by the group that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of around 240 hostages. Evidence suggests that some victims were raped or gang-raped, and some bodies were found burnt and decapitated.
According to the survey conducted by JL Partners, only 24 percent of British Muslims believe Hamas terrorists committed murder and rape in Israel on Oct. 7, compared to 62 percent of the general public.
While 39 percent of Muslims and 8 percent of the general public believe Hamas did not commit murder and rape, 38 percent of Muslims and 30 percent of the general public responded with “don’t know.”
The poll indicates that younger people, both among Muslims and the general public, are more likely to believe that Hamas did not commit murder and rape in Israel on Oct. 7.
About 46 percent of British Muslims feel more sympathy toward Hamas than Israel, in contrast to 16 percent of the general public, the survey suggests.
Additionally, nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of Muslim respondents believe that Israel is a racist endeavor, compared to 28 percent of the general public.
Only 24 percent of Muslims and 57 percent of the general public believe that Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish homeland.
Approximately 29 percent of British Muslims have a positive view of Hamas, while 24 percent hold a negative view of the group.
Conversely, only 3 percent of British Muslims view Israel positively, while 64 percent have a negative opinion of the state.
One in five (21 percent) of British Muslims and 7 percent of the general public have a positive view of “jihad,” while 28 percent of Muslims and 63 percent of the general public hold a negative view of it.
Almost one in three British Muslims, or 32 percent, expressed that it would be very or somewhat desirable to have sharia law implemented in the UK within the next 20 years.
In contrast, 23 percent of Muslims and 60 percent of the general public indicated that it would be very or somewhat undesirable.
Compared to the general public, Muslims are more supportive of declaring Islam as the UK’s national religion, reducing the teaching of Christianity in schools, promoting a more traditional role for women, and banning abortion, homosexuality, and displaying pictures of the Prophet Muhammad, according to the survey.
Over half (52 percent) of Muslims believe it would be desirable to outlaw displaying a photo of the prophet, while 24 percent said it would be undesirable.
Commenting on the survey results, HJS Executive Director Alan Mendoza stated to The Telegraph that they highlight the failure of counter-extremism policy over the years.
He emphasized the importance of addressing this kind of extremism without fear of being labeled Islamophobic or racist, and urged the government to support moderate voices within the Muslim community to marginalize extremist narratives.
A government spokesperson mentioned that recent measures have been set out to promote social cohesion, counter religious hatred, and tackle division in communities to safeguard democratic freedoms across the country.
