Israel likened to the Nazis by a third of young people

A THIRD of young people say that Israel is acting like the Nazis, research for an anti-semitism charity shows.

In polling conducted in December, 34 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds agreed with the statement “Israel treats the Palestinians like the Nazis treated the Jews”. The result among all adults was 30 per cent.

The figure marks a record high in the annual survey. In 2022, 23 per cent of Britons agreed with the statement and 31 per cent of young people.

The Yougov poll for the Campaign Against Anti-semitism (CAA) said that anti-jewish rhetoric since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7 is radicalising young people. The polling, which comes just days before the annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations on Jan 27, reveals what the CAA describes as “worrying levels of anti-jewish prejudice among the British public”, with “particularly frightening rates” among young people which it described as “generation hate”.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET), said: “As we approach Holocaust Memorial Day it is particularly disappointing to see that so many 18- to 24-year-olds believe the false accusation that Israel are behaving like Nazis – a shocking inversion of history and a malicious attempt to legitimise anti-israel and anti-jewish sentiment.

“It is clear that education about anti-semitism today is vitally needed in our schools and on campuses, and it is clear that it is time for an honest discussion about online hate. The HET will be working alongside the Government to address this deeply worrying trend.”