Dismantling Settlements Is Creating Polarization in Israel?

Israelis settlements in West Bank have been one of the major hurdles in the resolution of Israeli-Palestinian crisis in accordance with the two state solution. Palestinians views about this issue have been quite clear that the want an end to these settlements that would lead the way for the eventual creation of Palestinian state. But in Israel the public perceptions on this issue have remained quite anti-evacuation.

A recent survey in Israel shows a kind of shift in the general Israeli public attitude towards this issue. Opposition to dismantling these settlements have dropped remarkably and support for this idea has reached as high as 60 percent. This is the highest support for this idea recorded since 2005. Who will get most affected by the idea of dismantling settlements? Of course the settlers, the settler’s perceptions on this issue are widely different from the general Israeli public. Almost seven in ten (69%) settlers oppose the idea of dismantling these settlements. This is in sharp contrast to general Israeli public. Mistakenly 57% of the settlers believe that general Israeli public is also opposed to the idea of evacuation, which is totally the reverse of the reality. A large majority of general Israeli public believe that motive for living in settlements should be attached with religious or missionary zeal but the settlers stated that they are more motivated by personal quality of life, housing and community then religious or missionary objectives.

These findings suggest that settlers and general Israeli public have widely different perceptions about dismantling the settlements in Judea and Samaria. Moreover the settlers have misperceptions about the general Israeli views about evacuating West Bank settlements. Does this suggest that general Israeli pubic and settlers are moving towards two different poles? Setters would definitely be the most affected group if Israeli government decides to evacuate, so will this decision create internal groups in public and Israeli politics? On the other hand if Israel continues with these settlements will there ever be peace between Palestinians and Israelis?

Summary of Global Opinion Report # 115

This week report consists of altogether 27 surveys.
Multi-country Surveys: 03
National Surveys: 24

These 24 national surveys are from;
Middle East: 02
Southeast Asia: 01
Northeast Asia: 01
East Europe: 01
West Europe: 04
North America: 13
Latin America: 02

For detailed Global Opinion Report # 115 please visit Gilani Foundation.

State of Democracy in Hungary

At the eve of 2010 parliamentary elections in Hungary, surveys show the Hungarians disappointment with the state of democracy in their country. Hungarians were among the earliest and most enthusiast to endorse the shift from communism to free market economy and democracy. Twenty years down the line today their perceptions of both the free market economy and democracy the way they experienced it are dismal.
Among the Central and East European countries they are the most dissatisfied nation with democratic institutions and practice. Similarly in a comparative perspective they have the most disappointing image of free market economy today for which they were very enthusiastic two decades ago. They feel they are worse off today than they were under communism. Does it mean that they are rejecting democracy and free market economy?


Hungarians still highly admire the basic principles of democracy. They believe it is very imperative to have multiparty elections, free speech, religious freedom, and civilian control of military in the country. But they do not find such values in their system. These show they have the spirit to support democracy but it is the functioning of democratic institutions in their county that they disapprove. What have been the major problems for Hungarian democracy?

The survey findings bring attention to two significant issues. Ethnic and religious relations within Hungary may be one of the problems that the nation is facing. A high majority of Hungarians (69%) have an unfavorable view of Roma one of a key ethnic minority. Similarly a sizable number of Hungarians (33 percent & 29 percent) have an unfavorable view of Romanians and Jews respectively. This reflects a problem that is quite common in African or Asian democracies. Can Hungarians put together as a nation is a big ask for a democracy which is just about two decades old?


The same survey also discovers that Hungary is no exception in the region facing problems of corruption. Over seven in ten states corruption as the nation’s most malicious problem. I personally feel that corruption might be the real cause of mal functioning of democracy in Hungary. Can we expect Hungary to be a more transparent democracy five years down the line? What should be the preferences of newly elected government so that people’s trust in the political system of the country can be restored?

Summary of Global Opinion Polls Report # 114

Global Opinion Report no. 114 consists of 18 surveys. One of these survey is a multi-country survey regarding the issue of 'democracy' in Central and Eastern Europe. The rest of 17 are national surveys from various countries.
The complete Global Opinion Report No. 114 can be reached at Gilani foundation.

Is Ukrainian ‘No’ to NATO, Part of Russian Resurgence?

Ukraine pursued a policy to be part of NATO for six years but the current government of Viktor Yanukovich decided to take a U-turn. Ukrainian parliament is going to pass a law that will restrict Ukraine from joining the military alliance. Ukrainian government decision seems to have popular support as well. A Pew Research Center survey shows that more than half of the Ukrainian respondents have an unfavorable opinion of NATO and they are opposed to Ukraine entry into NATO. This opposition is highest in ethnically Russian areas of Ukraine. Somewhat similar are the views about NATO in Belarus, another neighbor of Ukraine and Russia.


The surveys show that Ukrainians have a very positive opinion of Russia. Ukrainian will be approving a suggestion to have further closer ties with Russia and will support the exclusion of visas and customs. This shows that the immediate neighbors of Russia perceive Russian influence as positive except for Georgia. The opinions on Central Asian side are somewhat mixed. Keeping in view the fact of stabilizing Russian economy and military strength reflected in its foreign policy, Russian resurgence seems to be underway. Will Russia be able to extend its positive image beyond these immediate neighbors in East Europe? Are Russians still thinking of a Greater Russia including some parts of Soviet Union back to its territory? Public support for United Russia has been on the rise for the last few years but can it really be translated into political terms?

Summary of Global Opinion Polls Report # 113

This report consists of 22 surveys. One of these surveys is a multi-country survey while the rest of 21 are national surveys.

Complete Global Opinion Report can be reached at Gilani Foundation.