Latest news with #JewishIsraelis
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Two-state solution support hits all-time low as Israeli trust collapses
Only 21% of Israelis believe peaceful coexistence with a Palestinian state is possible; distrust and status of Jerusalem cited as top obstacles. Public support among Israelis for a two-state solution has reached a new low, with only 21% believing that a peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state is possible, according to a dramatic new poll by the Pew Research Center released on Tuesday. The survey, conducted between February 5 and March 11—during a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war—found a steep decline in optimism, down 14 percentage points from spring 2023 and the lowest level recorded since Pew began polling the question in 2013. Among Jewish Israelis, the results are even more stark: only 16% believe peaceful coexistence is achievable. In contrast, Arab Israelis are significantly more hopeful, with 40% expressing belief in a possible two-state future. The findings come as the war with Hamas enters its second year and reflect a broader erosion of faith in both peace efforts and political leadership—on both sides of the conflict. A dominant theme emerging from the data is a deep and widespread mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians, which 75% of respondents identified as a 'major obstacle' to lasting peace. Following closely were the status of Jerusalem—claimed by both peoples as their capital—named by 70%, and Israeli settlements in the West Bank, cited by 52% of respondents. Despite decades of negotiation and international involvement, the survey reveals that these core issues remain unresolved in the minds of most Israelis. While a slim majority of Israelis (56%) believe the Israeli public remains committed to working toward lasting peace, only 41% say the same of the Palestinian people. Confidence in leadership is even lower: 47% view the Israeli government as at least somewhat committed to peace, while 45% say the same about the Palestinian Authority. Just 20% believe Hamas is in any way committed to a peaceful resolution—compared to 72% who say the Gaza-based group is not committed at all. Only one-third of Israelis now support the idea that Israel should govern the Gaza Strip after the war—a drop from 40% in spring 2024. Opinions diverge sharply along ethnic and ideological lines: 42% of Jewish Israelis support Israeli governance of Gaza, while 45% of Arab Israelis say Gaza's residents should choose their own leaders. Just 1% of Israelis say Hamas should rule Gaza in the future, and only 16% support a governance model based on the will of the people in Gaza. A unity government involving the Palestinian Authority garners little support—only 6% with President Mahmoud Abbas and 10% without him. United Nations administration was backed by a mere 2%. Despite growing skepticism toward international bodies, the United States remains a trusted actor in Israeli public opinion. A full 81% of respondents said the US plays a helpful role in the peace process. By contrast, Iran, the United Nations, and European countries are viewed as either irrelevant or harmful. Even so, when asked about US President Donald Trump—who began his second term in January—51% said he favors Israel too much in his foreign policy, while 42% believe he strikes the right balance. The poll also reveals a sharp lack of confidence in political leaders across the board. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to face low favorability ratings, with 53% of Israelis viewing him unfavorably. Opposition leaders Benny Gantz (54% unfavorable) and Yair Lapid fare no better. On the Palestinian side, confidence is abysmal: 85% of Israelis view President Mahmoud Abbas unfavorably, and 80% say the same about Marwan Barghouti, a Fatah leader imprisoned by Israel since 2002. Sharp divides persist across religious and ideological lines. Secular and traditional Jews (Hilonim and Masortim) are more likely to believe Palestinians are committed to peace and to support international involvement. Religious and ultra-Orthodox Jews (Datiim and Haredim), meanwhile, are more likely to call for Israeli control over Gaza and view external actors with suspicion. Political ideology also shapes perceptions: Left-leaning Israelis are more optimistic about peace and more likely to cite settlements and Jerusalem as key obstacles, while right-wing Israelis place greater faith in the Israeli government's intentions and see distrust as the primary hurdle.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Israel barred Saudi FM and counterparts from Ramallah
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called the move an example of how Israel 'kills any chance for a fair and comprehensive Israeli-Arab settlement.' Israel's decision last week to block a planned visit toRamallah by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, and three other Muslim countries triggered predictable handwringing around the world, especially in those countries themselves. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, whose trip would have been the highest-ranking visit by a Saudi official since 1967, said the decision showed Israel's 'extremism and rejection of peace.' Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi chimed in as well, calling the move an example of how Israel 'kills any chance for a fair and comprehensive Israeli-Arab settlement.' A joint statement by some of the ministers who were scheduled to take part accused Israel of 'arrogance,' of 'disregard for international law,' and of pursuing 'illegitimate measures and policies that besiege the brotherly Palestinian people and their legitimate leadership.' These condemnations were loud, coordinated, and expected. But they were also, for the most part, performative — aimed more at international optics and domestic audiences than at actually changing Israel's position. Why would Israel agree to green-light a high-profile delegation intended to lend momentum to efforts to push forward a two-state solution precisely at a time when Jerusalem, in the wake of October 7, is adamantly opposed to the idea? Not only is the government opposed, but as polls show, the majority of the public is as well. AnInstitute for National Security Studies (INSS) poll in March found that support for a two-state solution declined to 24% among the general public, down from 38% in September 2024. Ten years ago, by comparison, a similar INSS poll found that 60% of the public supported the idea. In the March poll, only 15% of Jewish Israelis favored a two-state solution, a decline from 31% in September. A Jewish People Policy Institute survey from March had similar results, with only 11% of Jewish Israelis in that poll expressing support for negotiations toward a Palestinian state. The foreign ministers' visit was to come just two weeks ahead of an international conference organized by Saudi Arabia and France in New York to push for a two-state solution, with France considering unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state and urging other Western countries to do the same. In that context, the Ramallah visit was not an isolated diplomatic gesture. It was a launchpad. Allowing it to proceed would have been, in Israel's view, akin to scoring an own goal. Some argue that barring the Saudi foreign minister could further stall long-term normalization with the kingdom or sink hopes of bringing Riyadh into the Abraham Accords framework. But the Saudis themselves have made it abundantly clear: normalization is contingent on tangible Israeli steps toward Palestinian statehood. That's a line this Israeli government — and much of the public — is unwilling to cross, particularly after October 7. From the Israeli perspective, the Palestinians had a mini-state of their own in Gaza before October 7. That experiment failed — catastrophically. Hamas quickly took over, stockpiled weapons, built an underground terror infrastructure, trained a terrorist army, and launched the deadliest attack on Israel since its founding. To now replicate that failed model in Judea and Samaria would, in the minds of most Israelis at this time, be an act of sheer madness. Moreover, a look at the countries represented by foreign ministers in the delegation, at least according to some reports, reveals that Turkey and Qatar were on the list. Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan is vehemently anti-Israel, implacable in his poisonous rhetoric, and hosts Hamas leaders in Ankara. Qatar, for its part, continues to host Hamas' leadership and is a major force, if not the primary force, behind the demonization and delegitimization of Israel around the world. Why, then, should Israel allow representatives of these countries into Ramallah to make political statements that could inflame tensions and further undercut Israel in the international arena? This is especially true as June shapes up to be one of the more diplomatically challenging months Israel has faced since the war began. The upcoming French-Saudi conference in New York is likely to rejuvenate calls for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. That's not a framework Israel is prepared to accept — and it need not play along. Not allowing the foreign ministers to visit was one way for Israel to try to prevent the move from picking up steam. Another option being floated in Jerusalem is a more muscular countermeasure: declaring that unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood will trigger Israeli unilateral responses, such as annexing certain parts of the West Bank. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer have reportedly relayed this message to some European counterparts. Whether or not Israel ultimately takes that step, the message is clear: if the international community is going to act unilaterally, so might Israel. That message needs to be delivered forcefully because Israel's diplomatic isolation, exacerbated by the war in Gaza and its humanitarian toll, has emboldened key players like France and Saudi Arabia to try to dictate terms. Jerusalem cannot allow that to happen. Blocking the visit to Ramallah is one way to push back. It sends a signal that Israel is not going to stand by quietly while others try to predetermine its security needs and future. Partial annexation — as a warning or a reality — may be another. In this environment, symbolism matters. High-profile diplomatic visits carry weight, and so does denying them. Israel has made it clear: it will not be a passive participant in a process it fundamentally rejects and believes will endanger its security, certainly not in the shadow of October 7.
The Hill
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Bolton says US-Iran nuclear talks are ‘fruitless'
Former national security adviser John Bolton argued during a recent interview that nuclear deal negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are 'fruitless' and Israel's potential strikes against Tehran's nuclear facilities are entirely 'warranted.' 'I think we're really at a very important point here, whether, whether Trump is going to try and continue these negotiations, which I think are going to be completely fruitless, or whether Israel is going to do what it has to do to protect its very existence,' Bolton said Friday evening in an appearance on NewsNation's 'On Balance.' The U.S. and Iran's officials have sat down for five rounds of talks regarding Iran's expanding nuclear program, with the most recent meeting taking place in Rome last week. There, both sides indicated that they are moving closer to forging a new deal. President Trump withdrew from the Obama-negotiated deal with Iran in 2018, during his first White House term, and imposed sanctions on Tehran. Trump has warned Iran that if ongoing diplomatic talks go sideways, military action could take place. The president earlier Friday signaled that the two countries are 'fairly close' to reaching a new agreement. 'I think we have a chance of making a deal with Iran,' Trump told journalists at the White House. 'They don't want to be blown up,' he added. 'They would rather make a deal, and I think that could happen in the not-too-distant future.' Israel has reportedly been preparing to strike Iran's nuclear facilities if U.S.-led talks go nowhere. Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from striking Tehran as it could jeopardize ongoing discussions. 'It's not a warning. I said, 'I don't think it's appropriate.' I just said I don't think it's appropriate,' Trump said. 'We're having very good discussions with them, and I don't think it's appropriate right now.' Bolton, a defense hawk and a frequent critic of the president's approach to foreign policy, said the 'actual opinion in Israel is overwhelmingly in favor of taking military action against Iran's facilities.' An Israeli Democracy Institute poll, released in late April, found that 45 percent of Israelis are in favor of striking Iran, while 41.5 percent are against it. Just over half of the respondents, 52 percent, of Jewish Israelis are in favor of strikes, while 34.5 percent oppose them. Among Arab Israelis, a large majority, 76 percent, are against military strikes, while only nine percent said the opposite, according to the survey. 'I think a preventive attack is entirely warranted. The US should support it. In fact, if asked, or if asked, we should help them and in fact we should volunteer to help them,' Bolton told host Leland Vittert on Friday. 'It's unfair to say that the Iran nuclear program is only Israel's problem, let's face it, it's our problem, too,' he added. Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman also warned Iranian officials during a closed-door meeting on April 17 that Tehran should take up Trump's opportunity to negotiate a deal or the Islamic republic would risk military strikes from Israel, Reuters reported on Friday, citing two Gulf sources and two Iranian officials.
Days of Palestine
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Poll: Majority of Israeli Jews Support Gaza Ethnic Cleansing
DayofPal– A new survey has revealed a disturbing surge in support among Israeli Jews for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, echoing ancient biblical warfare narratives and reigniting debates about the ideological roots of Zionism. The poll, conducted in March by a researcher affiliated with Penn State University and published Thursday in Haaretz, surveyed 1,005 Jewish Israelis. It found that a staggering 82% back the forced removal of all Palestinians from Gaza. The results have sent shockwaves through academic and human rights circles. Perhaps most startling, nearly half of respondents (47%) expressed agreement with the idea that the Israeli army should emulate the ancient Israelites under Joshua at Jericho, killing all the inhabitants of a conquered city. The poll also found a deep biblical underpinning to these views. Over 65% believe in a present-day version of Amalek, the archetypal enemy of the Jews in the Hebrew Bible. Of those who hold this belief, an overwhelming 93% support the divine commandment to 'erase Amalek.' Even among secular Jewish Israelis, 69% support expelling Gaza's population, and nearly a third would endorse reenacting the biblical conquest of Jericho. The generational divide adds a chilling layer to the findings. Among Israelis under the age of 40, 66% support the expulsion of Palestinian citizens of occupied Palestine, and 58% are open to military actions modeled after Jericho. Just 9% of men under 40 rejected all forms of expulsion or genocidal policies. This sharp uptick in support for extreme measures marks a radical departure from earlier years. In 2003, just 45% supported the expulsion of Gazans, and only 31% backed the removal of Palestinian citizens of occupied Palestine. Analysts and critics are sounding the alarm, connecting these attitudes to the ideological foundations of Israel itself. As Haaretz noted: 'Zionism is a settler-colonial movement, seeking to displace the native population. Such projects often face violent resistance from the indigenous, leading to calls for their removal. Hence, every colonial settlement contains the potential for ethnic cleansing and genocide—as seen in 17th–19th century North America or early 20th-century Namibia.' The poll has ignited urgent debate in Israel and abroad about the trajectory of the war and the increasingly mainstream acceptance of what many observers view as genocidal rhetoric. Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
'Kill The Adults in Gaza': Israeli Deputy Knesset Speaker Sparks Outrage with Genocidal Remarks on Gaza
DayofPal– Deputy Knesset Speaker Nissim Vaturi has openly incited for the mass executions and the destruction of Palestinian cities, sparking renewed accusations of genocide and fueling international condemnation. Vaturi, a senior member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, delivered the incendiary remarks during a recent public appearance, declaring, 'We must separate the women and children and kill the adults in Gaza. We are being too considerate.' His statements, described by critics as openly genocidal, come as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 53,000 since the start of the war in October 2023, most of the slain are women and children. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, hospitals decimated, and humanitarian aid blockaded, leading to starvation and mass displacement. Doubling down, Vaturi questioned the innocence of Gaza's population: 'Who is innocent in Gaza? Civilians came out and slaughtered people in cold blood.' He further dehumanized Palestinians, describing them as 'scumbags and subhumans,' and asserted, 'Nobody in the world wants Gaza's civilians. They are all pushing them toward Israel.' His threats extended beyond Gaza. Speaking ominously of Jenin, a city in the West Bank, Vaturi warned, 'We'll soon turn Jenin into Gaza,' and advocated for indiscriminate demolition: 'Don't bother searching for terrorists. If one is in a house, bring the house down. Tell the women and children to leave.' This is not Vaturi's first foray into genocidal rhetoric. In earlier statements, he urged the complete destruction of Gaza, stating, 'Gaza and its people must be burned. I have no pity for them.' On social media, he called for targeting food supplies to intensify suffering, saying, 'Make Palestinians feel the gates of hell have opened.' In another post, Vaturi shared a map of planned Israeli settlements across Gaza, boasting, 'This is what total victory looks like!' Even those within Israel who oppose the war have not been spared his ire. Vaturi has denounced Israeli demonstrators calling for a ceasefire and prisoner release, branding them 'a Hamas arm.' He also issued a veiled nuclear threat tied to regional tensions, declaring, 'We'll have to use everything we have,' if U.S. weapons are not forthcoming in a future conflict with Iran. His comments come amid rising international alarm. Human rights organizations and legal experts increasingly describe Israel's assault on Gaza as a textbook case of genocide. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, yet the siege continues. A recent poll suggests over 80% of Jewish Israelis support the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, indicating broad public alignment with the government's hardline policies. With voices like Vaturi's growing louder inside the Israeli leadership, observers warn that the line between rhetoric and action continues to blur, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens by the day Shortlink for this post:
