Lebanese Shiite Poll Shows Majority Support for Deal with Israel
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
A poll of Lebanon's Shiite community found that 63.3% support an agreement with Israel and 66.4% believe Hezbollah's weapons should be transferred to the state. The survey also revealed that 67.4% think Hezbollah failed to achieve its war aims at a high cost, and only 5.9% want the current leadership to remain in power. The Lebanese army received high trust, while Hezbollah's institutions garnered low confidence.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 63.3% of Lebanese Shiites surveyed support an agreement with Israel.
- Two-thirds of Shiite respondents believe Hezbollah's weapons should be transferred to the Lebanese state.
- 67.4% of Shiites feel Hezbollah did not achieve its war objectives, deeming the cost too high.
- Only 5.9% of Shiite respondents want the current Hezbollah leadership to be strengthened.
- 78.5% of Shiites trust the Lebanese army as the primary long-term security contributor.
- Over 50% of Shiites lack confidence in Hezbollah's social institutions and media.
A new poll conducted among Lebanon's Shiite community reveals significant support for an agreement with Israel, with 63.3% of respondents favoring some form of deal, including direct talks, mediation, or a comprehensive regional agreement. The survey, conducted by Statistics Lebanon in September among 800 Shiites regardless of political affiliation, also indicated widespread criticism of Hezbollah. Approximately two-thirds, or 66.4%, believe Hezbollah's weapons should be transferred to the Lebanese state, contrasting with 29.6% who think the organization should retain its arms. Furthermore, 67.4% of respondents feel Hezbollah did not achieve its war objectives or only partially succeeded, deeming the cost of the conflict excessively high. Only 5.9% of those surveyed wish to see the current Hezbollah leadership strengthened, with a majority favoring experienced political leaders (51.5%) or a new generation of young leaders (22%) to emerge.
The poll also explored trust in institutions and future roles for Hezbollah. While 78.5% expressed trust in the Lebanese army as a long-term security contributor, compared to 16.5% for Hezbollah, trust in Hezbollah's social institutions and media was low, with over 50% expressing no confidence. Regarding Hezbollah's future, 34% preferred it to be solely a political party, while 9.4% envisioned a political and social organization. A smaller percentage, 10.6%, desired an independent military force outside state control.
On the issue of war and peace decisions, 71.1% believe these should rest exclusively with the Lebanese leadership. When considering methods of resistance against government policy on weapons, political discussion was deemed legitimate by 64.8%, followed by non-violent demonstrations (48.8%) and strikes or boycotts (31.3%). Significantly lower percentages supported road blockades (6.1%) or the use of force (4.9%) as legitimate means.
