‘October 8 Jews’: The impact of October 7 on British Jewish identity
Author(s)
Publication Date
October 2026
Publication Place
Publisher
Abstract
In this report:
How did Jewish life and identity in Britain change following the October 7 2023 attacks in Israel? This unique report considers whether claims about the emergence of a new ‘October 8 Jew’ or a post-October 7 Jewish ‘surge’ are supported by the evidence.
Using data from JPR’s unique Research Panel, which has tracked the same group of 2,500 adult British Jews across six surveys from 2020 to 2025, the report introduces a longitudinal approach that lets us examine how Jews have reacted to recent events and determine whether any changes have been temporary or more enduring.
Some of the key findings in the report:
Emotional attachment to Israel strengthened substantially and remained elevated, rising from 38% saying they felt very emotionally attached to Israel in May 2023, to 50% in June 2024, and 51% in June 2025.
The proportion describing ‘Supporting Israel' as a ‘very important’ part of their Jewish identity rose from 35% before October 7 to 48% nine months afterwards, and remained elevated subsequently.
More British Jews identified as Zionist following October 7, rising from 59% in late 2022 to 66% in June 2025. The proportion identifying as anti-Zionist remained broadly unchanged at around 10%.
Concern about antisemitism increased dramatically, from 17% describing it as ‘a very big problem’ in the UK in May 2023, rising to 50% by June 2025.
Feelings of safety as Jews in the UK have seen a significant and ongoing decline since October 7
Jewish people’s levels of anxiety increased and remained elevated, diverging significantly from those recorded among the wider UK population.
A notable increase in the proportion of Jews considering ‘making aliyah’ (migrating to Israel) occurred after October 7.
Yet there was little evidence of a fundamental transformation in Jewish identity or a Jewish reawakening. Overall strength of Jewish identity remained unchanged with no significant increase in religiosity, synagogue participation or belief in the importance of Jewish religious study.
How did Jewish life and identity in Britain change following the October 7 2023 attacks in Israel? This unique report considers whether claims about the emergence of a new ‘October 8 Jew’ or a post-October 7 Jewish ‘surge’ are supported by the evidence.
Using data from JPR’s unique Research Panel, which has tracked the same group of 2,500 adult British Jews across six surveys from 2020 to 2025, the report introduces a longitudinal approach that lets us examine how Jews have reacted to recent events and determine whether any changes have been temporary or more enduring.
Some of the key findings in the report:
Emotional attachment to Israel strengthened substantially and remained elevated, rising from 38% saying they felt very emotionally attached to Israel in May 2023, to 50% in June 2024, and 51% in June 2025.
The proportion describing ‘Supporting Israel' as a ‘very important’ part of their Jewish identity rose from 35% before October 7 to 48% nine months afterwards, and remained elevated subsequently.
More British Jews identified as Zionist following October 7, rising from 59% in late 2022 to 66% in June 2025. The proportion identifying as anti-Zionist remained broadly unchanged at around 10%.
Concern about antisemitism increased dramatically, from 17% describing it as ‘a very big problem’ in the UK in May 2023, rising to 50% by June 2025.
Feelings of safety as Jews in the UK have seen a significant and ongoing decline since October 7
Jewish people’s levels of anxiety increased and remained elevated, diverging significantly from those recorded among the wider UK population.
A notable increase in the proportion of Jews considering ‘making aliyah’ (migrating to Israel) occurred after October 7.
Yet there was little evidence of a fundamental transformation in Jewish identity or a Jewish reawakening. Overall strength of Jewish identity remained unchanged with no significant increase in religiosity, synagogue participation or belief in the importance of Jewish religious study.
Topics
Antisemitism: Jewish Perceptions and Experiences Israel: Jewish Attachment Israel: Attitudes to Israel Zionism October 7 2023 Attacks and Aftermath Jewish Identity Security: Jewish Sense of Security/Insecurity Longitudinal Studies Main Topic: Identity and Community
Genre
Geographic Coverage
Original Language
Link
Link to article including link to pdf, ‘October 8 Jews’: The impact of October 7 on British Jewish identity
Bibliographic Information
‘October 8 Jews’: The impact of October 7 on British Jewish identity. . October 2026: https://archive.jpr.org.uk/object-6118
