We are proud to be Israelis, holiday poll finds

Despite being surrounded by conflict, nothing will stop Israelis from feeling good about themselves and their country • 73% of us think Israel is a good place to live, most Israelis have traveled abroad or bought a car or a home in the past year.

By Aharon Lapidot, ISRAEL HAYOM

Of all Israeli institutions, the Israelis public has the most faith in the IDF

While the world around us faces crisis after crisis, it is safe to say that Israelis are feeling rather content with themselves, their country and their general standing, judging by a special holiday poll conducted by New Wave Research this week.

According to the poll, 73% of respondents characterized the state of Israel as “a good place to live.” A similar number of respondents (70%) defined themselves as “proud to be Israeli” with an average score 8.2 out of 10 for Israeli pride.

Unsurprisingly, the Israeli body that received the highest rating of public trust was the Israel Defense Force, with an average score of 8.1. Coming in at a distant second place, the Supreme Court received a score of 6.5 — a passing grade considering the onslaught of attacks the court has endured in recent years.

The remainder of the Israeli institutions received low scores all around: The Israel Police, which has been at the center of a recent string of scandals, received a score of 5.1. The Knesset received an abysmal 4.8, only a tenth of a point more than the Israeli media, which walked away with a score of 4.7. In last place, sadly, respondents ranked Israel’s government ministries, with a problematic score of 4.6. The general picture that emerges from this ranking is that the Israeli public has very little faith in the government or the media, a modicum of faith in the police, and the only institution Israelis truly trust is the IDF.

On a more optimistic note, the poll found a positive link between Israeli citizens and their country. This link manifested itself in the fact that 56% of Israelis said that given a choice, they would choose to live in Israel over any other country, 15% said they would have to consider it and 28% said they would prefer to live abroad.

Most poll participants (63%) estimated that their average expenditure on basic necessities has gone up over the last year, while the majority (51%) also believed that their economic status has remained exactly the same. Of those polled, 10% purchased a home this year and 20% purchased a new car.

When it comes to trips abroad, Israelis are breaking world records: More than half the population — 55% — traveled abroad at least once this past year. In fact, most Israelis, 67%, are certain that they will travel abroad in the coming year. Meanwhile, 25% plan to buy a new car in the coming year and 14% plan to buy a home, suggesting that Israelis believe that they will continue to enjoy a good economic standing.

Israelis’ personal security has not changed in the last year, at least that is what 70% of respondents believe. On the other hand, Israel’s security is a point of contention: About half, 47%, believe that there has not been any change in Israel’s level of security, while 15% believe that Israel’s security has improved. But about a third of respondents, 35%, believe that Israel’s security has deteriorated and it is less secure than it was in the past.

More than half of the respondents said that they agree with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak’s statement that “Israel is a villa in the jungle.”

Regarding the hottest issue of the day — the refugees fleeing Middle Eastern countries in favor of Europe — most Israelis, 78%, believe that Israel is ill equipped to absorb refugees and should therefore keep its gates shut. A minority of 16% said that they would like to see Israel welcome some refugees and an a miniscule 2% said Israel should allow an unlimited number of refugees into the country.

Finally, when asked who they thought was best suited to lead the State of Israel, 33% replied that it was current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, currently in the opposition, came in at a surprising second place with 14%. Lapid is apparently enjoying a resurgence after having dipped to single digit support ratings in the last few polls. Opposition Leader and Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog came in third, with 9% of respondents naming him as the best possible leader and Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Lieberman came in fourth with 6%. In last place was Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, with a mere 4%. (About 34% said they did not know who was best suited to be prime minister.)