New Poll Shows Rising Support for Settlements Among Israelis
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
A new poll by the Israel Democracy Institute indicates that 55% of Israelis, and 63% of Jewish Israelis, support the government's settlement policy. The survey also found that a majority of Jewish Israelis favor decisive action against Jewish individuals harming Palestinians. Support for renewing the peace process is low among Jewish Israelis, contrasting with Arab Israelis. The poll also revealed strong backing for a universal draft law and an inquiry into the October 7th events.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A new poll shows 63% of Jewish Israelis support the government's settlement policy, a rise from 2017.
- 55% of all Israelis and 63% of Jewish Israelis believe the settlement policy has been correct.
- A majority of Jewish Israelis (58.5%) support decisive action against Jewish individuals harming Palestinians.
- Only 25% of Jewish Israelis support renewing the peace process, compared to 58% of Arab Israelis.
- 72% of Jewish Israelis support a universal draft law, and 71% support an inquiry into October 7th.
- Public opinion is divided on the credibility of reports that Netanyahu was warned of a Hamas attack before October 7th.
A new survey by the Israel Democracy Institute reveals a significant increase in public support for the settlement policy in the West Bank. Overall, 55% of Israelis believe the government's policy of encouraging settlements has been correct, with this figure rising to 63% among Jewish Israelis. This represents a notable increase from a similar poll in 2017, when support stood at 51% among Jewish respondents.
The poll, conducted by the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, also highlights stark political divisions. While 81% of those identifying as right-wing support the settlement policy, only 19% of those on the left agree. Despite this support for settlements, a majority of Jewish Israelis, 58.5%, also favor decisive action against extremist Jewish individuals harming Palestinians in the West Bank.
In contrast, support for renewing the peace process with the Palestinians is low among Jewish Israelis, with only 25% in favor, compared to 58% among Arab Israelis. The survey also explored public opinion on other key issues ahead of elections, finding strong support for a universal draft law (72% of Jews) and a state commission of inquiry into the October 7th events (71% of Jews), with support crossing political divides.
Additionally, a majority of Jewish Israelis favor exploring changes to the electoral system for clearer outcomes (60%), drafting a constitution based on the Declaration of Independence (58%), and reviewing legislation from the judicial reform (57%).
The poll also addressed recent reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was warned by senior Arab officials about an impending Hamas attack before October 7th. Public opinion is divided on the credibility of these reports, with 46% deeming them unreliable and 43% finding them credible. Political divides are pronounced, with 85% of left-wing Jews finding the reports credible compared to only 28% of right-wing Jews.
Regarding the timing of these reports' publication, 63% of the public believes they were released recently to influence upcoming elections, a view held by 79% of right-wing Israelis. The survey also gauged perceptions of global countries, with the United States remaining the most favorably viewed (87%), followed by Germany (55%) and the UAE (49%). Qatar (69%) and France (68%) were seen as hostile, with a significant drop in favorable views of the UK.
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