Poll: Israelis Don’t Think IDF Overreacting in Gaza

The Israeli public is unmoved by international criticism of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, registering almost unanimous support for the IDF and many favoring stronger action, according to a poll released on Tuesday.

Only a miniscule minority — less than four percent of Israeli Jews — endorsed the view that the IDF has used excessive firepower in Gaza, reported the monthly Peace Index poll sponsored by the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University.

The poll was conducted in three stages from July 14 through July 23, and showed an average of 95% believed the military campaign is justified.

When asked to rate the government’s performance throughout Operation Protective Edge on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being very poor and 10 being very good), Israeli Jews’ ratings were 8, 6.3, and 8 in the three surveys.

The Peace Index corroborated other opinion surveys which found that Israeli Jews are overwhelmingly opposed to a cease-fire. Eighty percent opposed a unilateral cease-fire and two thirds were against a bilateral cease-fire to negotiate with Hamas.

The only cease-fire which received majority support —  about 60 percent — was one that would take effect after an agreement for sustaining quiet was reached.

This article appeared in print on page 31 of the July 30th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.