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Opinions of Israeli Jews and Israeli/Palestinian Arabs Toward Each Other

(1999 - Present)

Most Arab Israelis wish to integrate into Israeli society and be part of it. (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2019
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Very much agree

52%

27% 51% 9%
Somewhat agree

31%

30% 29% 42%
Total Agree
83%
57%
80%
51%

Who has a stronger attachment to the country—Jews or Arabs? (IDI, August 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Equally strong 33% 28%
Jews have a stronger attachment 33% 68%
Arabs have a stronger attachment
33%
1%
DK 1% 4%

Relations between Jewish and Arab Israelis today are... (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2017
2019
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Good to very good

30%

16%

31%

20%

30% 9%
So-so

42%

51%

49%

57%

54% 59%
Bad to very bad
27%
31%
20%
21%
16%
31%

Agree that it would be better for Jews and Arabs in Israel to live separately from one another. (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2017
2019
2020
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Agree

22%

52%

17%

46%

22% 42% 20% 50%

Where should Arab Israelis be allowed to buy land? (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Jews
Anywhere in Israel 29%
Only in Arab localities and neighborhoods 37%
Arabs should not be allowed to buy land in Israel at all
18%
DK 16%

All Israeli citizens aged 18 (including Arabs and Haredim) should be required to perform military or national civilian service. (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2019
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Agree

35%

72% 28% 70%
Disagree

63%

24% 71% 28%

Think that it is possible for an Arab Israeli who feels part of the Palestinian people to also be a loyal citizen of the State of Israel. (IDI, April, August 2021) (Israeli Jews)

 
2021
Agree 33%

The curriculum for all Israeli students should include historical and cultural content that is important to the Arab public in Israel. (IDI, April 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Agree 93% 44%
Disagree 7% 50%

The Arab education system should be given a free hand in determining the curriculum for Arab schools. (IDI, April 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Agree 92% 31%
Disagree 9% 63%

The percentage of Arabs in senior positions in the civil service is lower than the relative share of Arabs in Israel’s population, because… (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Lack of suitable Arab candidates 13% 20%
Lack of desire of Arab citizens to enter the civil service 13% 34%
Limited political power of Arab Israelis 22%
15%
Desire of Jews to keep Arabs out of positions of authority 50% 18%
DK 2% 13%

Even when Arabs are more suitable for a study program or a job, Jews will always be accepted ahead of them. (IDI, August 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Agree 81%
Disagree 18%

Main reason for the high crime rate in Arab society (IDI, April 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
The State does not invest enough resources in preventing crime 58% 30%
Investing resources or cooperation with the police will not help, because Arab society is violent 22% 22%
Arab leadership does not cooperate with the police to reduce crime 17%
37%
DK/Other/Refuse 3% 12%

Arab Israelis tend not to cooperate with the police because they… (IDI, August 2021)

 
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Feel that the police do not deal properly with crime in Arab localities 65% 38%
Do not feel part of the State of Israel 7% 33%
Are afraid to go to the police 25%
16%
DK/Other 3% 13%

Agree to accept Arabs/Jews as… (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2019
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Personal friends

85%

64% 78% 58%
Neighbors in the same building

89%

58% 64% 45%
Friends from the workplace
96%
81% 88% 71%

I try not to enter Arab/Jewish localities. (IDI, April, August 2021)

 
2017
2019
2021
 
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Israeli Jews
Agree

16%

59%

8%

58%

13% 65%

How do you feel about Israel’s Arab citizens? (INSS, National Security Index 2018-19; 2021) (Israeli Jews only)

 
2019
2020
We need to respect them, but suspect them

42%

43%
They are citizens with equal rights

32%

31%
They are potential enemies

23%

20%
They are citizens without equal rights

3%

6%

Recently the U.S. ambassador told Prime Minister Netanyahu that his country is concerned about Israel’s unequal application of the law toward Jews and Palestinians on the West Bank. In your opinion, does Israel indeed apply the law unequally toward Jews and Palestinians on the West Bank? (Peace Index, January 2016)

 
Israeli Jews 
Israeli Arabs 
General Public 
I'm sure it does
16.3%
68.1%
25%
I think it does
22.9%
9.8%
20.7%
I think it doesn't
24.1%
1.9%
20.4%
I'm sure it doesn't
28.7%
12.4%
26%
Don't know
8%
7.9%
8%

What, in your opinion, are the chances that sometime in the future Jews and Arabs will be able to live in one state as citizens with equal rights who recognize each other's rights? (Peace Index, September 2015)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
General Public
Very low chances
52.7%
43.8%
51.2%
Moderately low chances
34.2%
24.3%
32.6%
Moderately high chances
6.8%
7.1%
6.9%
Very high chances
2.9%
15.6%
5%
Don't Know
3.3%
9.1%
4.3%

As for the Arab citizens of Israel, in your assessment does the majority support or not support the actions of Daesh? (Peace Index, November 2015)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
General Population
I'm sure the majority doesn't support them
17.9%
80.6%
28.3%
I think the majority doesn't support them
40.1%
8.7%
34.9%
I think the majority supports them
25.6%
1%
21.5%
I'm sure the majority supports them
10.1%
0%
8.4%
Don't know/refuse
6.4%
9.7%
6.9%

Are you worried on a daily basis that you or your family may be harmed by Israeli individuals? (PCPSR, December 2014)

 
Palestinians
Israelis
Yes, I am worried that Israeli individuals may harm my family or I during our daily life. 
82%
62%
No, I am not worried that Israeli individuals may harm my family or I during our daily life. 
19%
36%

Do you believe the state should encourage Arab migration? (Center for the Campaign Against Racism, December 2006)

Yes
50%

How do you feel when you hear Arabic being spoken around you on the streets of Israel? (Center for the Campaign Against Racism, December 2006)

Fearful
50%
Uncomfortable
43%
Feel hatred
30%

Would you refuse to work at a job at which your direct supervisor was an Arab? (Center for the Campaign Against Racism, December 2006)

Yes
50%

The Ministry of the Treasury asserted this week that the reduction in the child allowances caused a drop in the birth rates of Israeli Arabs. Do you think that it is justified for the Treasury to take such things into consideration? (Maariv, January 28, 2005)

Yes 32%
No 62%

I would prefer not live next door to a Palestinian / [Jew] / {Israeli}. (PORI, September 2003)

 
Israeli Jews
Israeli Arabs
Palestinians
Strongly Agree
54%
[24%]
(33%}
Somewhat Agree
16%
[16%]
{17%}
Somewhat Disagree
14%
[17%]
{22%}
Strongly Disagree
14%
[42%]
{23%}
Don't Know
2%
[2%]
{6%}

Israel Arabs were recently involved in attempted terror attacks in Tiberias and Haifa. In your view, what portion of the Israeli Arab community supports carrying out such acts? (Tami Steinmetz Research Institute for Peace at Tel Aviv University, September 1999)

Only a few individuals 28%
At least half 34%
A sizeable minority 32%
DK 6%

If a Palestinian state is created, to which state will Israeli Arabs be more loyal? (Tami Steinmetz Research Institute for Peace at Tel Aviv University, September 1999)

To Palestinian state 57%
To Israel 17%
To both, equally 17%
DK 9%

In your opinion, are Israeli Arabs entitled to all political rights in Israel? (Tami Steinmetz Research Institute for Peace at Tel Aviv University, September 1999)

Should have equal rights 46%
Jews should have more rights 50%
DK 4%

Regarding economic rights, in your opinion, should Jewish and Arab citizens have equal rights? (Tami Steinmetz Research Institute for Peace at Tel Aviv University, September 1999)

Should have equal rights 60%
Jews should have more rights 37%
DK 3%

In your opinion, to what extent should Israeli Arabs be integrated into Israeli society? (Tami Steinmetz Research Institute for Peace at Tel Aviv University, September 1999)

Completely 12%
Considerably 34%
Slightly 28%
Not at all 21%
DK 3%

 

Questions asked only of Palestinians

Joint poll questions asked of Palestinians and Israelis

Would you mind an Israeli (Palestinian) to be your personal friend? (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997)

 
PA
PA
 
Palestinian Area
PA
 
PA
PA
 
 
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99)
Palestinian Total (12/00)
West Bank  (12/97)
West Bank (2/99)
West Bank (12/00)
Gaza Strip (12/97)
Gaza Strip (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/00)
Yes
50.8% 
51.1
75.3
44.9%
45.9
70.5
61.8%
61.4
83.6
No
46.7%
44.4
21.8
52.4%
49.1
26.9
36.1%
35.9
13.0
No answer 
2.5%
4.1
2.9
2.7%
5.0
2.6
2.0%
2.7
3.4

If a peace settlement is reached between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the future, would you still have a problem taking an Israeli (Palestinians) as a friend? (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997)

 
Palestinian Authority
PA
 
Palestinian Area
PA
 
PA
PA
 
 
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99)
Palestinian Total (12/00)
West Bank  (12/97)
West Bank (2/99)
West Bank (12/00)
Gaza Strip (12/97)
Gaza Strip (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/00)
Yes
75.7% 
77.2
82.1
78.0%
74.1
77.2
72.8%
81.1
89.1
No
20.4%
16.3
15.5
17.7%
18.4
19.6
24.1%
13.7
9.5
No answer 
3.9%
6.5
2.4
4.3%
7.5
3.2
3.1%
5.2
1.4

Did you have in the past, or do you have today any personal or business relationships with Israeli (Palestinian) civilians. (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997) 

 
 
 
Palestinian Area
 
 
PA
 
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99)
West Bank  (12/97)
West Bank (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/97)
Gaza Strip (2/99)
Yes
22.1% 
25.7
23.7%
27.7
19.2%
22.3
No
77.6%
74.0
76.1%
71.9
80.3%
77.7
No answer
0.3%
0.3
0.2%
0.4
0.5%
0.0

How would you describe these relations? (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997) 

 
 
 
Palestinian Area
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99)
West Bank  (12/97)
West Bank (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/97)
Gaza Strip (2/99)
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99)
Pleasant relationships 
53.4% 
46.3%
51.1%
51.2%
58.8%
35.7
71.7%
73.4
Unpleasant relationships 
7.6%
13.3%
7.1%
11.4%
8.8%
17.3
3.6%
4.1
Sometimes pleasant, sometime unpleasant 
37.4%
37.9%
39.6%
35.5%
32.4%
42.9
22.9%
21.7
Don't Know/No answer
1.6%
2.5%
2.2%
1.9%
0.0%
4.1
2.2%
0.8

What is your opinion about the following statement: In order to strengthen the support for peace among the Israelis and Palestinians the relationships between the two people should be depended in all areas. (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997)  

 
 
Palestinian Area
 
 
 
Total
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
Total 
Strongly agree
9.9% 
7.0%
15.1%
38.3%
Agree
55.4%
58.8%
49.3%
38.7%
Disagree
21.7%
22.1%
20.9%
11.5%
Strongly disagree 
9.1%
7.2%
12.7%
6.3%
No answer 
3.9%
4.9%
2.0%
5.3%

What about if a Palestinian state is estabished, would you still say that the relationship between the two peoples should not be strengthened? (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll, December 1997)

   
Palestinian Area
 
 
Total
West Bank 
Gaza Strip
Yes
69.3% 
66.2%
74.3%
No
26.8%
29.8%
22.1%
No answer 
3.9%
4.0%
3.6%

Now I am going to show you a list of characteristics that could be used to describe the Israelis (Palestinians), using the following scale (show scale), please indicate how you describe the Israelis (Palestinians): (Source: JMCC/Steinmetz Poll)

- Violent:

                 
 
Total (2/99)
Total (12/00)
West Bank (2/99)
West Bank (12/00)
Gaza Strip (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/00)
Total (2/99)
Total (12/00)
1. Non-Violent 
4.7
1.9
3.5
2.8
6.8
0.5
9.6
8.9
2.
3.7
1.6
2.8
2.2
5.2
0.5
8.6
6.1
3.
16.0
1.3
16.8
1.6
16.8
0.7
33.0
17.8
4.
17.9
6.9
23.0
7.5
23.0
5.9
15.1
16.4
5. Violent
57.6
87.5
48.2
85.1
48.2
91.6
20.5
46.2
No answer
0.1
0.8
0.1
0.8
0.0
0.8
12.7
4.5

- Honest:  

 
 
 
 
Palestinian Area
 
 
 
PA
 
 
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99)
Total (12/00)
West Bank  (12/97)
West Bank (2/99)
West Bank (12/00)
Gaza Strip (12/97)
Gaza Strip (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/00)
1. Dishonest
53.4% 
50.0
70.9
54.4%
49.5
66.5
51.7%
7.0
78.4
2.
8.9%
17.0
10.9
9.8%
17.1
13.2
7.5%
8.2
7.0
3.
17.7%
17.2
6.3
18.1%
18.4
6.5
17.1%
23.0
5.9
4.
7.8%
7.7
3.0
6.2%
7.0
4.1
10.6%
26.1
1.1
5. Honest
10.2%
8.1
7.8
9.9%
7.9
8.6
10.8%
35.2
6.6
No answer
2.0%
0.0
1.1
1.6%
0.1
1.1
2.3%
0.0
1.0

- Intelligent:  

 
 
 
Palestinian Area
 
 
 
 
Total (12/97)
Total (2/99)
West Bank  (12/97)
West Bank (2/99)
Gaza Strip (12/97)
Gaza Strip (2/99)
1. Unintelligent 
7.8% 
7.9
7.7%
8.4
7.9%
7.0
2.
4.0%
7.7
4.3%
7.4
3.4%
8.2
3.
16.4%
20.3
16.6%
18.8
15.9%
23.0
4.
16.6%
22.9
17.4%
21.0
15.1%
26.1
5. Intelligent
54.3%
41.0
53.2%
44.4
56.3%
35.2
No answer
0.9%
0.2
0.8%
0.0
1.4%
0.5

Strong:

 
Palestinian Total (12/00)
West Bank (12/00)
Gaza Strip (12/00)
 
n=1199
n=759
n=440
Weak
14.9
15.7
13.6
 
8.3
7.1
10.5
In between
16.6
17.9
14.3
 
16.3
16.1
16.8
Strong
42.8
42.2
43.9
Don't know
1.1
1.0
0.9

Questions asked only of Palestinians

On a scale of 1 through 5, how would you evaluate your proficiency in the  Hebrew language? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1999)

Compromise

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
I know nothing at all  (1) 
 68.2
 67.9
68.9 
I don't know (2)
 8.8
 10.5
 5.7
In between  (3)
 11.9
 11.8
 12.1
I know a little (4)
 5.3
 4.8
 5.9
Fluent (5)
 5.3
 4.5
 6.9
No answer
0.5
0.5
0.5

Conversation

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
I know nothing at all (1) 
 69.3
 69.5
69.1 
I don't know (2)
 9.3
 9.7
 8.7
In between  (3)
 10.1
 9.7
 10.8
I know a little (4)
 4.9
 4.7
 5.3
Fluent (5)
 5.2
 4.7
 5.9
No answer
1.2
1.7
0.2

Reading

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
I know nothing at all  (1)
 79.0
 80.7
76.0 
I don't know (2)
 7.2
 6.0
 9.3
In between  (3)
 6.6
 5.8
 8.0
I know a little (4)
 3.1
 3.1
 3.0
Fluent (5)
 3.7
 3.9
 3.2
No answer
0.4
0.5
0.5

Writing

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
I know nothing at all (1) 
 80.0
 82.4
77.8 
I don't know (2)
 6.0
 4.3
 9.2
In between  (3)
 6.1
 5.6
 7.0
I know a little (4) 
 2.7
 2.8
 2.5
Fluent (5)
 3.8
 4.2
 3.0
No answer
0.6
0.7
0.5

When do you usually use the Hebrew Language? (Source: JMCC Poll, August 1999) 

 
Total 
West Bank 
Gaza Strip 
To watch TV 
 8.5
 6.2
12.6 
Liten to the radio
 0.3
 0.5
 0.0
Read the newspapers 
 0.3
 0.4
 0.0
For official bureaucratic issues
 2.3
 3.4
 0.5
Working needs
 17.3
 19.4
 13.7
Chat with friends/social issues
1.8
2.3
0.9
Follow up cultural events/ movies
2.3
2.2
2.3
Others
2.5
2.7
2.3
No answer
64.7
62.9
67.7