Israeli Views on the Israel Defense Forces

(Updated May 15, 2012)

Public Opinion: Table of Contents | Israeli Polls | Index of Polls | Israel Defense Forces

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the Tal Law, which deals with the drafting of yeshiva students, should not be extended because it is "unconstitutional"; that is, it creates inequality between Israeli population groups that serve in the army and other groups, such as the ultra-Orthodox and minorities, which do not serve in the army. Is this Supreme Court decision, in your opinion, appropriate or not appropriate? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012)

In your opinion, what are the chances that the government will indeed act in the spirit of the Supreme Court ruling and bring about mandatory conscription or mandatory national-civilian service for all groups in Israeli society? (Peace Index, February 29, 2012)

In your opinion, do a majority of settlers support or oppose price-tag actions against soldiers and IDF property? (Peace Index, December 28, 2011)

Does the majority of the Israeli public as a whole support or oppose price tag actions when they are against soldiers and IDF property? (Peace Index, December 28, 2011)

Do the security forces and law-enforcement authorities act too harshly toward settlers who carry out price-tag actions, too mildly, or appropriately? (Peace Index, December 28, 2011)

There have also been cases of "price-tag" actions by settler groups against the IDF in response to outpost evacuations. Examples of such actions include damaging vehicles and beating soldiers. Do you support or not support these "price-tag" actions? (Peace Index, October 31, 2011)

Do the security forces and enforcement authorities act too mildly, too harshly, or appropriately toward settlers who carry out "price-tag" actions? (Peace Index, October 31, 2011)

Recently there were reports on IDF events where female soldiers were prevented from taking part in activities together with male soldiers serving in their unit because religious soldiers were opposed to their presence. In your opinion, is it proper for the IDF to hold events where male and female soldiers are separated because of religious demands? (Peace Index, October 31, 2011)

And what is your opinion on removing female soldiers from unites where haredi soldiers serve--should this or should this not be permitted so as to enable ultra-Orthodox soldiers to serve? (Peace Index, October 31, 2011)

Agree or disagree: To reduce the defense budget, non-core (non-combat) military activities should be outsourced to private companies (e.g., food services, laundry, car repairs, base cleaning and maintenance, etc.). (Dahaf for Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, February-March 2008)

Agree or disagree: The army should hire civilians/private security personnel to replace reservists for non-combat activities (e.g., guard duty). (Dahaf for Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, February-March 2008)

Agree or disagree: Israel should move to a voulunteer professional army like in the USA. (Dahaf for Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies, February-March 2008)

Following the reports of the operation in Syria, how has your opinion of the IDF changed? (Yedioth Ahronoth, September 18, 2007)

Did you support the government's decision to launch the operation in Syria? (Yedioth Ahronoth, September 18, 2007)

Do you count on the IDF to defend the State? (Dahaf, September 7, 2007)

How do you rate Israel's deterrent strength? (Dahaf, September 7, 2007)

Can the Qassam firing be stopped? (Dahaf, September 7, 2007)

Recently it was published that significant percentages of the draft in recent years do not serve in the army or do not complete their full period of service. Some say that in today's situation, when the military drafts are large and there are enough soldiers, this phenomenon gives no reason to worry. However, others say the phenomenon is very worrisome because in the present situation the burden of service is unequally distributed. With which claim do you identify more? (Peace Index, July 30-August 1, 2007)

How do you view the idea of requiring Israeli-Arabs to perform 2 years of national community service? (Keevoon Research, Strategy and Communications, May 28-30, 2007)

Do you believe the main faults identified in the Winograd report will be addressed? (Peace Index, April 30-May 1, 2007)

Do you believe that the report was equally severe toward the military leadership and the political leadership? (Peace Index, April 30-May 1, 2007)

Do you believe that the report exposed all the main problems? (Peace Index, April 30-May 1, 2007)

If those responsible do not resign willingly, will there be a wave of civil protest demanding their resignation? (Peace Index, April 30-May 1, 2007)

If a wave of civil protest breaks out, will you participate in such protests? (Peace Index, April 30-May 1, 2007)

After the publication of the conclusions of the Winograd Committee do you have confidence in the ability of the IDF to win the next war should it break out? (Teleseker, May 4, 2007)

Is military or security experience a necessary condition for being a prime minister in Israel? (Teleseker, May 4, 2007)

Do you count on the IDF to defend Israel? (Yediot Ahronot, August 25, 2006)

Has there recently been a drop in the morals of the IDF in the areas of Gaza, Judea and Samaria? (Israeli television program "Reshet in the Morning," December 9, 2004)

Would you describe the IDF as a moral army today? (Israeli television program "Reshet in the Morning," December 9, 2004)

Does the Israeli media exaggerate when there are deviant IDF operations in the areas of Gaza, Judea and Samaria? (Israeli television program "Reshet in the Morning," December 9, 2004)

What is the major factor that can cause IDF soldiers to deviate in their operations in the areas of Gaza, Judea and Samaria? (Israeli television program "Reshet in the Morning," December 9, 2004)