In recent findings by the Israel Democracy Institute, a significant portion of Jewish Israelis, approximately 75%, advocates for an escalation of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city. This area has become a refuge for over half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents amid the current hostilities with Hamas.
The survey further reveals a political divide among Jewish Israelis based on their political orientation. Around 45% of those identifying as left-wing support the intensified operations, a stark contrast to the overwhelming endorsement from those in the center and right-wing factions.
The Israel Democracy Institute reported in a new poll that approximately 70% of Israel's Jewish population believes that the current exemption from IDF service for haredim needs to change. https://t.co/dTvCU8o8hl
— Avraham Israeli Zionist 🇮🇱🇨🇦 (@IsraeliAvraham) March 10, 2024
Public opinion on Israel's international standing, particularly in relation to Jerusalem, is polarized. According to the Israel Democracy Institute, 63% of Arab respondents view Israel’s global position negatively, compared to 44% of Jewish respondents.
The poll also sheds light on perspectives regarding Israel-US relations, indicating a divided sentiment on whether Israel can continue to count on American support. Approximately 40% of respondents believe Israel can fully or largely rely on the U.S., 34% see this support as moderate, while 20% express skepticism about ongoing support from Washington.
The Biden administration is warning Israel of the risks of attacking the southern Gaza city of Rafah, intensifying efforts to get its Middle East ally to rethink the conduct of the war https://t.co/bfcsuLQ07z https://t.co/bfcsuLQ07z
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 10, 2024
A significant issue stirring debate within Israel is the matter of ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions. A notable 70% of Jewish respondents believe modifications are necessary to the exemptions granted to Haredim. This sentiment is even more pronounced among secular Jews, with 86% advocating for change, in stark contrast to only 19% support among Haredi respondents.
This survey emerges in the wake of a significant IDF operation targeting a landmark residential tower in Rafah, located just 500 meters from the Egyptian border. The strike rendered many families homeless, although, fortunately, there were no reported casualties. The Israeli military has yet to comment on this specific action.
🚨BREAKING: RAFAH - RESIDENTIAL TOWER TARGETED.
— Suppressed Voice. (@SuppressedNws) March 9, 2024
4 airstrikes by US-funded IOF warplanes bombed the Al-Masri residential tower in central Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in injuries. pic.twitter.com/XEAeStGVbk
Eyewitness accounts from one of the tower's 300 residents described a frantic scene following a 30-minute evacuation warning issued in the dead of night. "People were startled, running down the stairs, some fell, it was chaos. People left their belongings and money," recounted Palestinian Mohammad Al-Nabrees. Among the chaos, a pregnant woman, the wife of Al-Nabrees' friend, was reported to have fallen in the hurried evacuation. Israel often warns residents of buildings before launching strikes in order to ensure civilians can flee to saftey.
This strike has stoked fears among Palestinian officials in Rafah, with a Fatah party official expressing concerns that this could signal the onset of a broader Israeli invasion of the area.
IDF confirms overnight strike on Rafah residential tower it says housed 'Hamas military asset' known as the ‘emergency committee’
— Barry Tigay (@TigayBarry) March 9, 2024
Warned residents of the 12-floor tower ahead of the strike, they all evacuated in time. There were no reports of injuries. https://t.co/JmHEBjnQTl
These findings and events underscore the complexity and divisiveness of the current situation, reflecting a broad spectrum of opinions and concerns among Israelis and Palestinians alike regarding the ongoing conflict and its broader implications for the region.
