This evening (Monday), the Israel Democracy Institute is publishing selected data from the "Israeli Voice Index" survey for August 2023. The survey covers topics such as public discourse regarding the judicial reform, the reduction of the Clause of Reasonability, Supreme Court intervention in the Basic Law debate scheduled for tomorrow, the committee for appointing judges, contacts with Saudi Arabia, and the level of optimism regarding the security situation.
Regarding the judicial reform, it is noted that between two-thirds to three-quarters of the public supports dialogue and compromise between the parties. Support for this among voters of opposition parties is higher than among voters of coalition parties.
Regarding the early discussion in the Supreme Court regarding the annulment of the Basic Law on the Reduction of the Clause of Reasonability, 37% of the interviewees believe that the appeal should be rejected, either because it is a Basic Law or because reducing the Clause of Reasonability does not harm the democratic identity of the state. On the other hand, slightly fewer (34%) believe that the Supreme Court should accept the appeal, either because the law harms the democratic identity of the state (25%) or because the legislative process was flawed or not exhaustive (9%).
Not only the Clause of Reasonability: 60% support contacts with Saudi Arabia
In the general public, 20% believe that if the Supreme Court instructs the Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin, to convene the committee for selecting judges, he does not need to convene the committee. Just over half of the respondents, however, believe that he should follow the Supreme Court's ruling. This belief is significantly higher among Likud voters compared to those who responded that he should continue with his refusal policy on the matter.
Regarding relations with Saudi Arabia: About 60% of the Jewish public believes it is an important move for Israel, while 30% express no opinion. The majority opposes accepting the Saudi condition that has been publicized as part of the arrangement, granting permission for civilian nuclear capabilities, with only 22% in favor. The data is nearly identical in the optimism index for both the democratic future and the security future, with 40% of Jews optimistic about both indicators.
Professor Tamar Herman, the academic director of the Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, who conducted the survey together with Dr. Or Anavi from the Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Institute, stated, "There is still not really 'public opinion' on the subject of relations with Saudi Arabia because few details are known, and the leadership has not yet indicated its position on the issue. But in general, a positive stance towards such an arrangement can be seen in the Jewish public, while the Arab public holds a less positive position."
