Poll: Most Israelis Fear Judicial Reform Struggle Will Lead to Violence

By Yisrael Price

YERUSHALAYIM — As a number of Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu‏‏ and President Isaac Herzog have warned in recent days that angry debate over judicial reforms could lead to violence, a poll released on Tuesday shows that a large majority of Israelis share that fear.

Some 60% of Jewish Israelis think that there is a high likelihood that the issue, which has polarized the country, will end in violence, and that 35% of the population fear civil war, according to findings published on Tuesday by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI).

The research showed that the concern is shared about equally by Israelis on both the left and right of the political spectrum and across age groups.

Optimists, if they can be called that, were in the minority. Only 31% think the chance of such an outcome is low or not possible, the JPPI said.

“These numbers appear unrealistic at first glance, but in fact, as we double and triple checked, we found that Israelis don’t think the possibility of some sort of violent conflict is just political rhetoric or media spin; it’s a real concern,” says JPPI President Yedidia Stern.

The poll, which has a margin of error of 4%, was conducted among a representative sample of 600 Israeli Jewish adults, January 30-31, 2023.

While 84% of Israelis agree that the judicial system is in need of any change, only 22% fully support the government’s proposals.

The JPPI has called for compromise under the slogan “no to coercion and violence, yes to dialogue.” 

“There is clear, broad public support for compromise and dialogue among those who support the reform and those who oppose it,” said Stern. “There is a huge silent majority of Israelis who fear a civil war and want their elected officials to enter into a negotiation process. These survey results are a flashing red light that Israeli politicians must heed. Our nation depends on it.”