Terrorism Against Israel: One in Five Israelis Has Lost Someone To War or Terror

In a study conducted at the University of Haifa, Prof. Gabriel Ben-Dor and Dr. Daphna Kanati-Nissim researched the effects of terrorism on the daily lives of Israelis. Results indicate that one in five Israelis (approximately 1.27 million) have lost a relative or friend in a terrorist attack. While 22% of Israelis have experienced some degree of loss, only 11% of Israeli Arabs have witnessed that same sense of loss. The findings were based on interviews of 1,613 people.

During the Second Intifada (2000-2005), 12% of all Israelis have been an eyewitness to a terror attack or the wounded. When questioned about the current government, 75% of Arabs and only 63% of Jews reported having faith in the Israeli leadership’s ability to protect the civilians.

The report also revealed that Israeli citizens feel they have little control over their lives. More than half of all those surveyed said they felt a “loss of control on factors that influence” their lives due to the violence. Furthermore, on account of terrorism, 61% of Arabs and 54% of Jews reported as being more apprehensive about their future. It is because of this sense of fear that many Jews and Arabs testified in the survey, that they avoid people or places which reminded them of terror.

Sources: Jerusalem Post, (July 7, 2005)