Poll: Israelis prioritize release of hostages over destruction of Hamas
Israeli Public Prioritizes Hostage Return in Gaza War
The Israeli public’s main focus in the Gaza war is to bring home the hostages rather than to destroy Hamas, according to a poll conducted by researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
In the poll, 46 percent of Israeli Jews ranked the return of the 239 hostages held in the Gaza Strip as the most important military objective of the war. Meanwhile, 34 percent believe that the war’s primary goal is to incapacitate Hamas.
The poll also revealed that Israel’s Jewish majority has become increasingly willing to make “painful concessions” in order to secure the release of the hostages. Sixty-one percent of respondents said the country must do so, compared to just 21 percent six weeks earlier.
These findings shed light on why Israel recently agreed to pause its war against Hamas and release Palestinian prisoners. The agreement, which could involve the release of up to 80 hostages, was made in exchange for Hamas releasing women and children from captivity in Gaza.
The abduction and mass slaughter of Israelis by Hamas on October 7 united the Jewish nation in their determination to crush the terrorist group and free the hostages. Initially, Israel’s leaders emphasized the need to incapacitate Hamas, but public opinion has shifted towards prioritizing the rescue of the hostages.
“Our polling shows that the Israeli people were consistently ahead of the decision makers on this,” said Nimrod Nir, a social scientist at Hebrew University who led the research. “As they learned about who Hamas was holding and under what conditions, the pressure to do something grew. And once there was a deal on the table, it became even harder for people to oppose it.”
Support for the Hostage Deal
According to the poll, more than half of Israeli Jews (52 percent) support the hostage deal, while 33 percent oppose it. However, among right-wing voters, the numbers are almost reversed, with 30 percent supporting and 49 percent opposing the deal.
Marc Zell, the co-chair of Republicans Overseas Israel, expressed concerns about the agreement, stating that it puts Israel in the pocket of Hamas. He believes that the primary goal should be to destroy Hamas and that the government needs to show determination and resist American pressure.
The partisan divide was evident during the government’s debate on whether to approve the hostage agreement. Two right-wing factions threatened to vote against the deal, but in the end, the full cabinet voted 35-to-3 in favor.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the agreement as a moral and ethical duty that reflects the Jewish and Israeli value of redeeming captives.
Addressing Concerns
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed concerns about the possibility of stopping the war in a televised address, stating that the IDF and the defense establishment are committed to completing the war until they achieve their goals of destroying Hamas and bringing home the hostages.
Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged that Hamas had “blackmailed” Israel but argued that accepting the hostage agreement was necessary based on Jewish values. He dismissed fears that Israel would not resume the war with full force after the pause, stating that public opinion would demand the government to destroy Hamas.
“Soldiers are saying that they will refuse orders to leave Gaza before finishing the job. This is the reality, no matter what anyone in Jerusalem or Washington will say,” Amidror added.
How did media coverage impact the Israeli public’s perception and priorities during the Gaza war?
Became clear that the public’s priority was to bring the hostages home.”
Mr. Nir also pointed out the impact of the media coverage on the public’s perception and priorities. “The stories of the hostages, their families and the conditions they were living in touched the hearts of the Israeli people. It was impossible to ignore their suffering and the urgency to secure their release.”
The shift in public opinion towards prioritizing hostage return has put pressure on Israel’s political leaders to take action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initially focused on incapacitating Hamas, had to consider the sentiments of the Israeli public and the potential political consequences of not prioritizing the hostages’ return. This ultimately led to the recent agreement to pause the war and release Palestinian prisoners.
However, there are still concerns and debates regarding the potential dangers and risks involved in making concessions to Hamas. Some argue that releasing prisoners, who have been involved in acts of violence against Israelis, could encourage further attacks in the future. Others believe that the release of hostages, especially women and children, is a humanitarian imperative that should take precedence over security concerns.
The situation in Gaza remains complex and volatile. The Israeli public’s prioritization of hostage return reflects their empathy and concern for fellow citizens who are trapped in a dire situation. As the conflict continues, it is crucial for Israel’s leaders to listen to the voice of the people and make decisions that balance the need for security with compassion and the pursuit of peace.
In conclusion, a poll conducted by Hebrew University of Jerusalem shows that the Israeli public’s main focus during the Gaza war is to bring home the hostages held by Hamas. This shift in public opinion has influenced political decisions and led to an agreement to release Palestinian prisoners. However, there are ongoing debates regarding the potential risks and consequences of such concessions. The situation in Gaza remains challenging, and it is essential for Israel’s leaders to balance security concerns with the humanitarian imperative of rescuing their fellow citizens.
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