What it is about
Nearly nine months into the conflict against Hamas in Gaza, a new Pew Research Center poll highlights the varying sentiments of Israeli citizens regarding their society and government. The survey captures changes in perceived internal conflicts and trust in institutions during these challenging times.
Why it matters
The findings reveal a mixed bag of hope and division among Israelis. While there is a notable decrease in the perception of internal conflicts, there remains a significant distrust of government among different segments of the population. These insights are crucial for understanding the societal dynamics as Israel navigates through conflict and strives for unity.
By the numbers
The survey indicates that the percentage of Israelis identifying deep societal conflicts has markedly decreased from the previous year:
- Conflicts between Jews and Arabs dropped from 46% to 28%
- Political conflicts between the right and the left decreased from 32% to 24%
- Religious vs. secular conflicts declined from 29% to 18%
However, perspectives on religious cohesion vary, with 76% of ultra-Orthodox, religious, and traditional Jews being optimistic, compared to 45% of secular Israelis.
Trust in Government and Institutions
Trust in the government shows a stark divide along ideological lines:
- Only 19% of left-wing Israelis trust the government, down from 26% in 2017.
- Among right-wing Israelis, trust increased to 75% from 69% in 2017.
- Among Jewish Israelis, trust in the government climbed to 61% from 53% in 2017, while for Arab Israelis, it plummeted to 23% from 44%.
Trust in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is robust among Jewish Israelis at 93%, up from 77% in 2007, but has dropped among Arab Israelis from 57% to 34%.
Views on Influences
Israelis exhibit varied opinions on which institutions positively impact the nation:
- Religious leaders are seen positively by 74% of right-wing Israelis, but only by 24% of left-wing Israelis.
- The military is viewed favorably by 92% of right-wing, 83% of centrist, and 58% of left-wing respondents.
- Media is considered a positive influence by 81% on the left, while only 54% on the right share this view.
- Social media is seen positively by 70% on the left, compared to 63% in the center and 41% on the right.
Political Leadership
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ranks as the most popular political leader with 61% favorability, followed by Benny Gantz at 51%.
Context
The poll was conducted between March 3 and April 4, amid the ongoing conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on October 7. The period saw various protests within Israeli society, focusing on issues like military enlistment of the ultra-Orthodox, resolving hostage situations, and calls for early elections.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.