New Poll Shows Majority of Arab Israelis in Galilee Oppose New Jewish Settlements
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A new poll of Arab Israelis in the Galilee shows 63% oppose new Jewish settlements, with 49% accepting Israeli sovereignty "out of necessity." The survey, conducted by Direct Polls for "Lev BaGalil" among 333 respondents from October 11-13, 2026, also found 76% support cooperating with police to report illegal weapons. "Lev BaGalil" urged the state to strengthen Jewish presence and combat illegal arms.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 63% of Arab Israelis in the Galilee oppose new Jewish settlements, according to a new poll.
- A majority of Arab respondents, 51%, accept Israeli sovereignty in the Galilee without reservation.
- 76% of Arab respondents support cooperating with police to report unlicensed firearms.
- The poll surveyed 333 Arab residents in the Galilee between October 11-13, 2026.
- "Lev BaGalil" called for strengthening Jewish settlement and combating illegal weapons.
A recent survey conducted among the Arab population in Israel's Galilee region reveals significant opposition to the establishment of new Jewish settlements. The poll, carried out by Direct Polls for the "Lev BaGalil" organization, found that 63% of respondents believe the state does not have the right to encourage the creation of new Jewish communities in the area. Only 15% felt the state was permitted to do so, with 22% undecided.
The survey also explored attitudes towards Israeli sovereignty in the Galilee. While 49% of respondents stated they accept Israeli rule "out of necessity" but hope for future change, an equal 51% accepted Israeli sovereignty without reservation. Regarding land where Jewish settlements have been established, 27% defined it as Palestinian land transferred to Israeli control and opposed new Jewish settlements there. A larger group, 63%, stated the land previously belonged to Arab residents and this should be considered in future decisions, while 10% believed the land belongs to the state and it has the right to build Jewish settlements.
In a hypothetical scenario of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, 54% of respondents preferred the Galilee to remain part of Israel, with a subset of 6% within this group supporting Arab self-rule within Israel. Conversely, 6% favored the Galilee joining a Palestinian state, and 2% wished for a change in its status or borders.
Beyond territorial and sovereignty issues, the poll indicated strong support for law enforcement cooperation. A significant 76% of respondents favor collaborating with the police and reporting unlicensed firearms. Only 8% oppose this, with 16% unsure.
"Lev BaGalil" commented that Israel is at a critical juncture regarding the Galilee's future, emphasizing the need for the state to assert its presence and ensure the region remains Israeli in practice and principle. They called for strengthening Jewish settlement, removing building barriers, and attracting a Zionist population. The organization also highlighted the broad support from the Arab community for combating illegal weapons, urging the state to translate this backing into decisive action to collect illegal arms and ensure the security of all residents.
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