Lebanese Shiite Poll Shows Majority Support for Israel Deal, Distrust of Hezbollah
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
A poll of Lebanon's Shiite community indicates that 63.3% support some form of agreement with Israel, while two-thirds believe Hezbollah should cede its weapons to the state. The survey revealed widespread dissatisfaction with Hezbollah's performance and leadership, with the Lebanese army being more trusted as a security provider. A majority also expressed distrust in Hezbollah's social and media institutions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 63.3% of Lebanese Shiites support some form of agreement with Israel, according to a new poll.
- Two-thirds of Shiite respondents believe Hezbollah should transfer its weapons to the Lebanese state.
- 67% of polled Shiites feel Hezbollah has not achieved its goals in recent conflicts at a high cost.
- The Lebanese army is trusted by 78.5% of respondents, significantly more than Hezbollah.
- A majority of Shiite respondents distrust Hezbollah's social service institutions and media.
- Only 5.9% of Shiites want the current Hezbollah leadership to be more influential in the future.
A public opinion poll conducted among Lebanon's Shiite community reveals significant dissatisfaction with the militant group Hezbollah, with a majority favoring an agreement with Israel. The survey, conducted by Statistics Lebanon and reported by Israel's Channel 12, found that 63.3% of Shiite respondents support some form of agreement with Israel, ranging from direct negotiations to a comprehensive regional deal. Only 8.9% favored an Iran-backed agreement.
Furthermore, approximately two-thirds of those polled believe Hezbollah should transfer its weapons to the Lebanese state, with only 29.6% wanting the group to retain its arms. A substantial 67% feel Hezbollah has not achieved its objectives in recent conflicts, deeming the cost too high. Support for the current Hezbollah leadership is low, with only 6% backing its continued strengthening and 5.9% wanting the current leadership to be more influential in the future.
The Lebanese army enjoys broad trust, with 78.5% of respondents expressing confidence in it. Over half, 51.1%, see the army as the primary long-term security provider, compared to 16.5% who attribute this role to Hezbollah. When asked about future leadership preferences, 51.5% opted for experienced political leadership, while 22% preferred a new generation of young leaders.
Trust in Hezbollah itself is divided, with 37.1% expressing significant trust and 22.4% some trust, while 38.5% distrust the organization to varying degrees. A majority, 52%, do not trust Hezbollah's social service institutions, and 52.4% distrust its media outlets. In education, only 2% would choose Hezbollah-run schools if other options were available.
