Majority of Israelis Want Settlement Policy Change to Avoid Sanctions
A new survey reveals that while few support specific trade bans, half of the population favors adjusting construction policies to prevent further economic penalties from foreign governments.
By Takeshi Faure ·
Israelis are divided on how to respond to growing international pressure, with a majority agreeing that the government’s approach to settlements needs adjustment to prevent further economic penalties. A survey conducted by the social research group aChord provides a detailed look at how voters view these external pressures and their potential impact on daily life.
The data shows that 50% of all respondents believe Israel should adjust its settlement and construction policy in the West Bank to avoid escalating sanctions and international isolation. This sentiment is particularly strong among supporters of the opposition Change bloc, where 71% favor a policy shift. In contrast, only 14% of supporters in the Benjamin Netanyahu bloc agree, with most preferring to continue current policies regardless of the cost.
Awareness of the United Kingdom’s recent trade ban on goods from illegal settlements is widespread but nuanced. Seventy-six percent of those surveyed had heard of the announcement, though 18% only knew the general headline. Four-fifths of those aware understood that the ban applies specifically to the West Bank rather than the entire country. Despite this knowledge, 63% of the public opposes the trade ban, while only 26% support it.
Foreign relations play a varying role in voting decisions. For 60% of voters backing the Change bloc, which supports Gadi Eisenkot, relations with Western nations are important or very important. However, these relations rank fifth among six voting motives for this group. Among Netanyahu bloc supporters, only 30% cite Western relations as a key factor. Three-quarters of Netanyahu bloc supporters stated that UK sanctions policies did not affect their vote at all.
Public opinion shifts when the economic consequences become personal. Only 36% of respondents agreed that settlement policy should remain unchanged if sanctions on banks financing illegal construction led to higher interest rates or difficulties using credit cards abroad. The survey indicates that as the perceived personal financial damage increases, opposition to the current settlement policy rises.
There is broader consensus on targeting violent individuals. A majority of 52% support sanctions on individual violent settlers, provided the measures apply only to those acting with violence. Conversely, 70% of Netanyahu bloc supporters oppose foreign sanctions in all circumstances. The findings suggest that while specific trade measures face resistance, the idea of modifying policy to maintain international standing has substantial backing.
Hannah Weisfeld, director of the British-Jewish organisation Yachad, cited the research to support continued external action. She stated that the public recognizes the need for a policy shift to prevent the international community from imposing incentives from the outside. The survey highlights that the effectiveness of international pressure often depends on how directly it affects the Israeli economy.
