Half of Israeli Jews favor expelling Arabs

The Pew Research Center released an explosive new study on religion and politics in Israel on Tuesday.

The study measured religious identification amongst Jews and political views among Israelis in general.

According to the Pew’s polling data, a whopping 48% of Israeli Jews believe that Israel should expel or transfer Arabs from the country, versus 46% who opposed such measures.

A large majority of Israeli Jews (79%) are of the opinion that Israel should give preference to Jews over Arabs.

The study, which was conducted from 2014 to 2015, surveyed 5,000 Israelis. Its surprising results suggest a shift away from support for a two-state solution and coexistence, long favored by the Israeli political establishment, and towards the hardline views of slain MK Rabbi Meir Kahane.

Kahane, who established the Jewish Defense League in the United States and the Kach Party in Israel, advocated the transfer of Israeli Arabs out of the country and the annexation of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. After winning a seat in the Knesset in 1984, the Kach Party was banned in 1988. Rabbi Kahane was assassinated in 1990 by an Al Qaeda-affiliated terror cell in New York City.

Jews in Israel are also highly skeptical of the Palestinian Authority’s motives in peace negotiations. A mere 10% believed the Palestinian Authority is genuinely interested in peaceful relations with Israel

Israeli Arabs held an equally dim view of Israel’s leadership, with only 20% saying they felt the Israeli government was sincere about pursuing peace. Israeli Arabs also increasingly believe a peaceful coexistence between Israel and a Palestinian state is impossible.

While 74% believed it was possible in 2013, that number dropped to 50% in the latest survey.