Reactions to the election in Israel

I. Data Break downN=230 (total sample size)

Broken down into 2 independent groups (Cluster 1 &2) w/some overlapping information (see matrix below)

Poll Answer Options:

1. I don’t follow the news2. I don’t know3. Disappointed4. Pessimistic5. Upset 6. Excited7. More concerned about the comments made in the election process

Definitions: * Note that all categories were devised from the types of responses given on the posts

Cluster 1

Group 1: “ Well based” Academic- Those who either have a MA, PhD in political science, International relations, history etc. that have a well-established knowledge about the ME, as well as keeping up with the event occurring in that region.

Group 2: “Basic” Academic- Those participants who stated “they have basic knowledge but do not keep up with the news consistently” and want to learn more about the region

Group 3: Busy Bee- Openly came out and said either of the following “I don’t follow the news” or “I don’t know”

Group 4: Other- Did not answer or do not wish to answer

Cluster 2

This Third set of data based off those who did post additional comments on the facebook page about further or more in depth concerns. The categories were created based on the types of answers in the comment section; which was not mandatory

Group A : Those who were very in support of Israel and are in strong support of the PM in addition to his comments

Group B : Those who are in support of the state of Israel but are very concerned about the trajectory of the current government’s policies. In addition that the comments centered around “policy” critiques on the following topics:

o Racism and discrimination against Palestinians,

o those who are against the notion of a religious “Jewish state”

o wish to see a secular democracy that is all inclusive

o Hope to see Two-State solution in an “ideal situation” but feel that is not

a realistic optiono Supported Operation Protective Edge as a “necessary defense operation”

o Are not too critical of settlements

Group C: o Racism and discrimination against Palestinians

o See Isreal’s current government as a far-right wing government

o Two-State solution ALONE

o Supported Operation Protective Edge as a “necessary defense operation”

o Are very critical of settlement

Cluster 1

(N=230 total sample size)

Group 1: N =38 Group 2: N=55 Group 3: N= 77 Group 4: N= 60

Cluster 2

(N=93 sample size groups 3&4 did not comment)

Group A: N = 13 Group B: N= 45 Group C: N= 22

II. Results

Cluster 1

(N=230 total sample size)

Group 1: N =38 (16.5%) Group 2: N=55 (23.9%) Group 3: N= 77 (33.4%) Group 4: N= 60 (26%)

Cluster 2

(N=93 sample size groups 3&4 did not comment)

Group A: N = 13 (13.9%) Group B: N= 45 (48.3%) Group C: N= 22 (23.6%)

Which Groups went where?

A B C TotalGroup 1 (N=38) 8 (21%) 23(60.5%) 7(18.4%) 38

Group 2 (N=55) 5(9%) 25(45.5%) 15(27%) 55Total: 13 45 22 93(40%)

commented

Summary:

Majority of those who responded Group 3(33.4%) and Group 4 (26%)had little to no reaction to the election results, however these are the “average Joe” and are busy with other matters. Those who are in academia Group 1 & 2 did answer the poll question and left “constructive” comments on the open ended survey page. Majority of Group 1 & 2 took the “neutral” answer available and stated that they were more concerned about the comments made during the election, rather than the election results themselves. Those in Group B & C in particular were eager to state the exact comments that were troublesome which includes the following:

PM Netanyahu’s comment about “Arab voters who he said were rushing to the polls in droves."

The refusal or “backtracking” of the Two State solution speech the PM gave in 2009 Unimpressed and offended by Netanyahu’s speech to Congress then his accusation of

Foreign government trying to overthrow him1 Likud’s push to re-write the 1952 citizenship laws to “revoke” Arab/Palestinian-Israeli

citizens of their citizenship as it was mentioned by party leaders in November of 2014 Concerns about religious ethnic nationalism the “Jewish state” instead of the “state of

Isreal”

In sum, the biggest criticism by those who do have basic or a well breadth of knowledge on the topic are concerned about the trajectory of the current government and how “far right” or how much Prime Minster Netanyahu will play the “ethnic nationalism line” since he had been elected with a majority; unlike the previous time which pushed him to create more “moderate” policies. Others have voiced their concern about the future legal rights of Palestinian-Israeli citizens and the discrimination and inadvertent racism that is deeply rooted in Israel. 2 However, those who are making these claims mostly fall in Group B (48.3%) not Group C (23.6%) who are anti-Israel across the board. What the results also state is that there has been a shift from those in Group A into Group B or on the extreme end going into Group C (13.9%), but this is something to monitor over time and to be aware of when doing outreach.

1 Full comment post: Unimpressed and offended by Netanyahu’s speech to Congress then his accusation of Foreign government trying to overthrow him after the fact he got US involved in Israeli politics to begin with2 This racism comment came from a professor that visits Israel every year