WE OPPOSE EXPANSION

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is entirely correct to believe that most Jews in Britain are opposed to the expansion of existing settlements on the West Bank ( Analysis, June 15).

Their evidence almost certainly comes from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research’s 2010 survey of the attitudes of Jews in Britain towards Israel. Our report was covered extensively in the JC, has been referred to subsequently in parliamentary debate, and I have shared it directly with the FCO at its request.

The data show that 74 per cent of all Jews in Britain are opposed to settlement expansion. Even among those Jews who self-identify as Zionists (a clear majority), 70 per cent hold the same position. Jews in Britain also overwhelmingly believe in the twostate solution — 78 per cent believe it to be the only way Israel will achieve peace with its neighbours.

The report also indicates that a slight majority believes that Israeli control of the West Bank is vital for Israel’s security. And a considerable majority (72 per cent) believes the security fence to be necessary on the same grounds. On first reading, these results appear to be contradictory, but as we concluded in the study, Jews in Britain are both eager to see peace, but supportive of measures that ensure Israel’s safety. Jonathan Boyd Executive Director jpr/Institute for Jewish Policy Research Market Place, London W1