A survey of 230 people found that most had little reaction to recent Israeli election results, but those with more knowledge expressed concerns. Of those who commented, around half were concerned about policies promoting discrimination and a religious rather than secular state. While supporting Israeli security, many criticized expansion of settlements and a shift away from a two-state solution. The biggest worries centered on the trajectory of the current government and potential restrictions on Palestinian citizens' rights.

1. Reactions to the election in Israel
I. Data Break down
N=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 news
2. I don’t know
3. Disappointed
4. Pessimistic
5. Upset
6. Excited
7. 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

2.  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 option
o 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

3. 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 Total
Group 1 (N=38) 8 (21%) 23(60.5%) 7(18.4%) 38
Group 2 (N=55) 5(9%) 25(45.5%) 15(27%) 55
Total: 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:

4.  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 politicsto begin with
2 This racismcomment came from a professor that visits Israel every year