Half of Jewish Israelis think Jewish citizens should have more rights than non-Jews

Jerusalem24– Just under half of Jewish Israelis think Jewish citizens should have more rights than non-Jewish citizens, according to a 2021 survey by the Israel Democracy Institute.

This constitutes a marked increase since 2018 when 28% responded in the affirmative.

The survey also shows significant differences between what Jewish Israelis and Palestinians with Israeli citizenship think are important factors to take into consideration “in order to be a true Israeli.”

73% of Jewish respondents believe being Jewish is an important factor, versus 12% of Palestinians.

83% of Jewish respondents believe serving in the IDF is an important factor, versus 16% of Palestinians.

85% of Jewish respondents believe “accepting the definition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state” is an important factor, versus 33% of Palestinians.

However, both Jewish Israelis and Palestinians with Israeli citizenship share the same level of agreement on “being born in Israel”, with approximately half believing this is an important factor.

Jewish Israelis and Palestinians with Israeli citizenship also agree (with 93% vs 84% respectively) that respecting the laws of the state is important.

There are significant differences in levels of trust in state institutions between Jewish Israelis and Palestinians, however. In June 2021, immediately following the May 2021 Unity Intifada which saw confrontations and significant violence against Palestinians within the Green Line, 13% of Palestinian respondents said they trusted the police versus 42% of Jewish Israelis.

The survey also finds that for the first time since 2016, the “greatest source of tension” is between Jews and Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, rather than between the Israeli Right and Left. 43% of Jews believe Jews and Arabs have the highest tension between them, while 64% of Arabs believe the same.

However, 81% of Palestinians with Israeli citizenship say they would remain in Israel even if granted citizenship in a Western country – a significant increase over the 52% who said the same in 2020.

In contrast, only 70% of Jewish Israelis would remain if they acquired citizenship abroad, with 38% of those wishing to leave citing the economic situation and cost of living.

The Israeli Democracy Index is published annually since 2003, “to explore trends in Israeli society on fundamental questions relating to the realization of democratic goals and values, and the performance of government systems and elected and appointed officials.”