Trust and interpersonal relationships between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel have further deteriorated in the past year as the war in Gaza continues, according to a recent survey.
Conducted the first week of January 2025, an annual survey from the Israeli social change nongovernmental organization Givat Haviva-The Center for a Shared Society examined feelings and attitudes among Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel on issues of mutual trust, personal security and changes in behavior over the past year. Jewish-Arab relations within Israel have been particularly strained ever since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has facilitated the release of some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and provided some relief for civilians on both sides of the conflict.
Compared with the results of the January 2024 survey, “Israeli society is more hesitant about shared living,” according to a press release describing the 2025 survey’s findings. Respondents also reported increased avoidance of social and economic collaborations and more radical opinions on related matters, the authors wrote.
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