British converts cite Gaza conflict, revealing how anti-Israel narratives exploit turmoil to expand Islamic influence.
A new analysis published by The Telegraph, drawing on research from the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL), reveals a striking trend: global conflicts — including the Israel-Gaza war triggered by Hamas terror — are becoming a major driver behind British conversions to Islam.
The study, based on 2,774 people who reported a shift in religious belief, shows that conflict is the single most-cited factor among those embracing Islam, underscoring how geopolitical turmoil and anti-Israel agitation are reshaping parts of Britain’s religious landscape.
According to the IIFL, 20% of new Muslim converts said global conflict influenced their decision, with many explicitly referencing the Gaza fighting. Researchers noted that this surge aligns closely with the heavy anti-Israel messaging that saturated British media throughout 2023 and 2024, which portrayed Palestinian militants as victims rather than aggressors.
Another 18% cited mental-health struggles, suggesting that uncertainty, emotional vulnerability, and relentless propaganda combine to create a powerful pull toward ideological systems aggressively marketed during periods of crisis.
Respondents described deep frustration with what they perceive as growing injustice worldwide, a sentiment researchers say is reinforced by narratives that demonize Israel while glorifying Palestinian “resistance” — narratives often amplified by activist networks and Arab-backed platforms.
By contrast, Britons turning to Christianity were influenced far more by bereavement and personal hardship, while those adopting Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism did so primarily for emotional wellbeing — not geopolitical activism.
The report also highlighted that many younger British converts to Islam harbor deep scepticism toward mainstream media, gravitating instead to alternative channels where anti-Israel messaging and radical pro-Palestinian rhetoric are pervasive.
This, the IIFL noted, strengthens the connection between conversions and high-profile conflicts such as Gaza, where Israel is often misrepresented and Arab militants are lionized.
Interestingly, the study also found a major drift away from formal religion: 39% of surveyed individuals moved toward atheism, with Christianity seeing the largest number of departures (44%), typically not to another religion but into non-belief.
The researchers concluded that Britain is undergoing not a simple move toward secularism but a shift away from traditional religious institutions toward individualized, practice-based “DIY spirituality” — while Islam uniquely gains from capitalizing on global conflicts and anti-Israel campaigns.
