Two-Thirds Of Arab Israelis Feel Part Of Israel And Its Problems, New Poll Shows

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A new survey taken amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza shows that around two-thirds of the 2.1 million Arab citizens of Israel feel part of the state and its problems, the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) reports. The survey was conducted by the Center for Democratic Values and Institutions (Arab Society in Israel Program) in collaboration with the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel Democracy Institute.

The poll surveyed the opinions of 538 Arab Israeli men and women who were interviewed by telephone in Arabic between November 27 and December 4, 2023, IDI reports. Field work was carried out by Afkar Research Ltd. led by Dr. Hisham Jubran.

The survey found that 56% of Arab Israelis agree with United Arab List leader MK Mansour Abbas, who stated that Hamas’ Oct. 7 genocidal attack on Israel does not reflect Arab society and Islamic values, IDI reports. Moreover, 86.5% of Arab Israelis are in favor of helping with civilian volunteering efforts as the war goes on.

However, the poll also found that 71% are not comfortable with expressing themselves freely on social media, 84% are worried about their physical security, and 86% are worried about their economic security, IDI said.

“Overall, the survey findings paint a complex picture of the atmosphere in Arab society during the war,” the IDI noted in its report. “This survey was conducted during a particularly sensitive period which has seen changes in the social behavior of the Arab public in Israel. It will be important to assess these questions again at different periods over time,” the IDI added.

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