ISRAELI JEWS: "THE WHOLE WORLD IS AGAINST US"

“A monthly report released by IDI and Tel Aviv University shows Israelis feeling more isolated and that peace is more distant.”

YNET

The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) and Tel Aviv University have released the monthly Peace Index poll which has a primary focus on three major issues: attitudes toward Jewish settlement in the territories, the diplomatic arena, and the distribution of cabinet posts in the government.

According to the report’s findings, the Jewish public is aware of the deterioration that has occurred in Israel’s international status, which seems to stem from the intensification of voices calling to boycott Israel and its institutions.

The report highlights the clear majority (71 percent) of the Jewish public, which agrees with the assertion that: “The countries of the world make moral demands of Israel that they do not make of other countries that are in situations of conflict.”

This sentiment represents the broader consensus in feeling that “the whole world is against us.” Similarly, a large majority (69 percent) of Israeli Jews characterize Israel’s relations with the countries of the world as not good, the study found.

Opposition to a consumer boycott of the settlements:

According to the survey, 79 percent of Israeli Jews said that they would not take part in a consumer boycott of the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, as opposed to 59 percent of Arabs, who said that if a consumer boycott of settlement products were to be organized, they would not buy such products.

Meanwhile, the report states that 75 percent of Jewish respondents indicated a lack of desire to live in the settlements in the territories, even if they could receive improved housing at a low price. 48 percent of Jewish Israelis stated that they have not visited any homes in the West Bank during the last five years.

The chances of an agreement based on an evacuation of the territories:

When asked about the potential to reach an agreement under current circumstances, 53 percent of respondents indicated that they do not think Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prepared to consider an agreement that would entail giving up settlements that are outside the settlement blocs, despite the assertions he made when meeting with the foreign finister of the European Union that he supports negotiations about the borders of the settlement blocs.

Regarding the distribution of responsibilities in Israel’s Foreign Ministry, where Netanyahu kept the portfolio of foreign minister for himself but distributed some of the responsibilities of the job among many other ministers, 62 percent of the Jewish respondents believe the division will not improve Israel’s ability to manage its diplomatic affairs, according to the report.

Separation on buses:

According to the survey over half of the Jewish public (52 percent) currently supports separating Jewish and Palestinian passengers on buses in the territories, in line with the experiment announced by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, as opposed to 42 percent who oppose it.

The distribution of cabinet posts in the government:

Another finding suggested disaffection with the government: 62 percent of the Jewish public is not satisfied with the distribution of cabinet posts in the new government.