One in Five Israelis Has
Lost Someone To War or Terror
(Updated July 2005)
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) |