Survey: Most Jewish Israelis Prioritize Hostage Deal Over Military Action
A recent survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute’s Viterbi Center for Public Opinion reveals that a majority of Jewish Israelis (56%) believe that negotiating a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas should be the highest national priority, surpassing military action in Rafah. The survey, carried out by Prof. Tamar Hermann, Dr. Lior Yohani, and Yaron Kaplan, also found that 37% of Jewish Israelis see military action in Rafah as the top priority. For Arab Israelis, an overwhelming majority (88.5%) prioritize a hostage deal.
Political orientation significantly influences opinions on the matter. On the political Left, a vast majority (92.5%) prioritizes a hostage deal, while 78% of centrists agree. However, on the Right, 55% prioritize military action in Rafah. Voters for the Likud party are divided, with 48.5% favoring military action and 44% advocating for a hostage deal. Support for military action is stronger among voters for ultra-Orthodox parties and the Religious Zionism Party.
The survey also reveals a gender gap in opinions among Jewish Israelis. While 63.5% of women prioritize a hostage deal, men are more divided, with 49% favoring a hostage deal compared to 44% favoring military action. Age also plays a role, with a majority of older Jewish Israelis (55+) prioritizing a hostage deal, while younger Israelis (18-34) are more evenly split.
