July 2014 Peace Index
Less than 4% of Israeli Jews Think the IDF Has Used Excessive Firepower in Gaza
90+% of Israeli Jews Believe Operation Protective Edge Is Just
The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) and Tel Aviv University have released the monthly Peace Index poll, which this month covers Israeli public opinion on Operation Protective Edge and the Gaza-Israel conflict.
In three sequential surveys carried out 14 July, 16-17 July, and 23 July, public opinion was assessed.
Justness and Proportionality
- Justness of Operation Protective Edge: Over the course of the surveys, Israeli Jewish public opinion has been consistently almost unanimous in its definition of Operation Protective Edge as justified – an average of 95% (96%, 92%, and 97% over the course of the three surveys).
- Use of Firepower: Only 3-4% of Israeli Jews believed that the IDF has used excessive firepower in Gaza (3.1%, 3.8%, and 3.7%). The balance believed that the IDF used an appropriate level of firepower (48%, 37%, and 60%) or insufficient firepower (45%, 57%, and 33%).
Performance Throughout Operation Protective Edge
- Government: On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very poor and 10 being very good), Israeli Jews rated the performance of the government on average as 8.0, 6.3, and 8.0 over the course of the three surveys. In the same manner, the Home Front Command was given an average grade of 9.1, 8.6, and 9.1. Lastly, local governments were rated on average with a grade of 8.6, 8.0, and 8.2.
- Jewish Public: Israeli Jews rated the behavior of the Israeli Jewish public on average with a grade of 8.9, 8.2, and 8.7 over the course of the three surveys.
- Arab Public: Israeli Jews rated the behavior of the Israeli Arab public on average with a grade of 4.0, 3.4, and 3.4 over the course of the three surveys.
Ceasefire Under What Conditions
- Unilateral Ceasefire: Over the course of the three surveys, Israeli Jews were opposed to a unilateral Israeli ceasefire for up to 48 hours and to continue the operation if rocket fire does not stop (79%, 79%, and 82%).
- Ceasefire with Later Discussions on Quiet: Israeli Jews disagreed with the proposal to an immediate ceasefire in order to discuss the conditions for maintaining the quiet (63%, 64%, and 69%).
- Ceasefire After Agreement for Sustaining Quiet: Israeli Jews supported agreeing to a ceasefire only after an agreement on the conditions for sustaining quiet is reached (64%, 60%, and 56%).
Outcome of Operation Protective Edge
When asked what will be the outcome of Operation Protective Edge, a majority of Israeli Jews believed that there will be a further round of battle with Hamas (77%, 65%, and 50%). A minority believe that a long-term quiet, like the quiet achieved on the northern border after 2006, will be achieved (8%, 16%, and 30%).
This survey was conducted in three stages: 14 July 2014 (246 adults), 16-17 July 2014 (185 adults), and 23 July 2014 (216 adults).
The full results of the Peace Index are available on the Peace Index website.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Peace Index Co-Director Prof. Tamar Hermann, contact:
Yehoshua Oz
Director of International Communications
press@idi.org.il