What Israelis think about the actions of settlers – a resonant poll

A fresh poll by the Jewish People Policy Institute reveals a sharp divide in Israeli society regarding radical settlers. A third of respondents called them "Israeli terrorists," while a fifth labeled them "nationalist criminals." Support for their actions is minimal — only 5%. The gap between left-wing and right-wing voters reaches 60 percentage points.

A recent sociological study conducted by the Jewish People Policy Institute has revealed a sharp divide in Israeli society regarding radical settlers. A third of respondents (33%) openly called Jewish participants in recent riots in Judea and Samaria "Israeli terrorists." Another nearly fifth (20%) characterized their activities as "nationalist crimes." Overall support for such actions among the population was minimal — only 5% of respondents. Only 13% of citizens showed leniency, calling the radicals "young people who sometimes cross the line" or "the salt of the earth." Attitudes toward the rioters diverge dramatically based on political views: among left-wing voters, the share of those who consider them terrorists reaches 63%, while in the right-wing camp this figure drops to 3%. Among the Arab population, the term "terrorists" was supported by more than half of respondents, among Jewish citizens — 27%. The poll was prompted by a recent incident in the village of Qusra, where a group of Israelis threw stones at Palestinians and barricaded themselves in a house, leaving wounded without subsequent arrests. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under international pressure, was forced to order the dismantling of several illegal outposts. The study was conducted in early September among hundreds of Israelis.