In Britain, a side effect of the Muslim problem has been a further strengthening of the opposition to joining the European Union. On the continent, it reinforced movements seeking to weaken the EU's influence in its constituent states. Britain was never enthusiastic about a political merger with continental Europe and would probably prefer to retain the pound sterling as its currency. Here, as in the rest of Western Europe, Muslim immigration proceeded apace during the last two decades, while simultaneously anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish sentiments spread rapidly - especially among the intelligentsia. However, pampering Muslims has now become an unpopular policy. Too many prominent Muslims known to support terrorist movements live in Britain, but what has chiefly caused the shift in public opinion is the blatant unwillingness of the Muslim communities to accept any facet of the British way of life. This applies to a lesser extent in continental Europe too.