Jewish Migrants Raise Few Hackles in Britain — Muslims and Roma Unwelcome

By Cnaan Liphshiz June 20, 2016

— The prospect of Jewish immigration raised the least amount of opposition among respondents to a British survey about attitudes to immigration.

A study conducted by the Centre for Social Investigation at Nuffield College in Oxford found that 7 percent of British people would allow no Jewish migrants into the United Kingdom, while 17 percent would allow no Muslims, The Jewish Chronicle reported Monday.

Thirty percent said they would not welcome Roma immigrants.

Researchers used data from the most recent European Social Survey, published in 2015. The survey of more than 1,500 adults from at least 30 countries is conducted every two years; the most recent survey contained questions on immigration, according to The Jewish Chronicle.

In the survey, opposition to immigration – and by Jews in particular – was the lowest in Britain among the countries. Ten percent of respondents said they would bar Jews from immigrating, while 25 percent would bar Muslims.

Lindsay Richards, co-author of the report, said Britons felt most welcoming to Jews given their longstanding presence in the country, as well as their historical persecution, the Jewish Chronicle reported.

She added that the local population was more receptive to professional people arriving in the country than unskilled laborers, who they regarded as a threat to jobs, housing and public services.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO