Less than one-fifth of Israelis have high level of trust in government, poll finds

Only 17% of Israelis place high trust in the government, and 26% in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a poll released today by the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.

Some 45% express a high degree of trust in IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and 61% indicate that they believe the IDF will win in Gaza. Somewhat paradoxically, less than half the Israeli public (44.5%) believes the country’s war aims will be achieved completely or in large part.

Most Israelis want to see the country initiate some kind of military operation against Hezbollah in the north, with almost half expressing a desire to see a large-scale operation that could ignite a regional war.

Only 28% of the public, and 21% of Israeli Jews, say the 5 IDF soldiers accused of abuse against Hamas prisoners should face criminal prosecution instead of disciplinary action by their commanders. Also, only 47% of the public says that “Israel should obey international law and maintain ethical values in war,” while 39.5% (47% of the Jewish public) say Israel should not.

Both Jewish and Arab Israelis indicated that they are more concerned about domestic tensions within Israel than external security threats.