JERUSALEM, Nov 27 (NNN-MA’AN) – About 80 percent of Israelis think the country’s society is politically and nationally divided, a new survey published on Tuesday.
The survey, included in a study of the Israeli society, conducted by Bar-Ilan University researchers , found a very high level of hostility towards the national and ideological “others,” as some even consider others as a threat to Israel’s security.
The poll showed that 74 percent of Israelis think the schism is national (between Jews and Arabs), while 71 percent said it is political (between right- and left-wingers).
Only 51 percent believe that it is possible to create a sense of cohesion in Israeli society.
The survey also said that right-wingers think leftists threaten Israel’s identity (55 percent), and security (59 percent), more than leftists think about rightists (45 percent and 43 percent, respectively).
The split in the Israeli society has worsened in recent months, when two general elections ended almost with a draw, between the right-wing and centre-left parties.
The indictments against right-wing Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also contributed to the rifts, as Netanyahu and his supporters accuse the left of attempting a “legal revolution.”
In addition, the recent decisions by some mayors, to operate public transportation on Saturdays, have exacerbated the disputes between religious and secular Israelis.– NNN-MA’AN