The 2016 Israeli Foreign Policy Index of the Mitvim Institute

*** Mitvim mourns the loss of former President Shimon Peres - a champion of peace, regional cooperation, and diplomacy; an exceptional visionary, optimist, leader, and statesman ***

The annual public opinion of the Mitvim Institute on Israel’s foreign policy was conducted, for the fourth consecutive year in late August - early September 2016.  It was carried out by the Rafi Smith Institute, and in cooperation with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, among a representative sample of Israel’s adult population.

The poll included questions dealing with: Israel among the nations, the state of Israel’s foreign policy, foreign policy priorities and bi-lateral relations, regional belonging and cooperation, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

 

Key Findings

1. The Israeli public believes Israel's global standing is mediocre (average: 5.01 out of 10). Only 10% describe it as good.

2. The Israeli public does not agree with the popular claim that “the entire world is against us [Israel]” (51% vs. 39%).

3. A large majority of Israelis think that their country is a regional superpower (66% vs. 20%).

4. The Israeli public is dissatisfied with the government’s handling of foreign policy (4.55 out of 10). Only 10% describe it as good.

5. Two-thirds of Israelis believe that the lack of a full-time foreign minister and the weakening of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) powers harm Israel's national security (66% vs. 19%).

6. The Israeli public is dissatisfied with the MFA’s ability to fulfill its mission (4.31 out of 10).

7. A large majority of Israelis think that Israel does not conduct its foreign policy with a clearly defined set of principles (60% vs. 25%).

8. Israelis think that their country’s foreign policy should prioritize the strengthening of ties with the US, followed by advancing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and improving ties with moderate Arab states.

9. Israelis believe that relations with the US at present are mediocre (5.56 out of 10). Only 16% think relations are good.

10. According to the Israeli public, the country with highest importance to Israel, besides the US, is Russia, followed by Germany, and then Great Britain, France, China, and Egypt.

11. A large majority thinks that regional cooperation between Israel and other Middle Eastern countries is possible (66% vs. 24%).

12. A large majority of Israelis want Israel’s Arab citizens to play a more central role in improving Israel's relations with Arab states (64% vs. 24%).

13. A large majority of Israelis see benefit in the recent reconciliation agreement with Turkey, especially in the area of security cooperation (26%) and the possible export of Israeli natural gas to Turkey (22%).

14. A majority of Israelis think that improving Israel’s foreign relations depends on making progress on the peace process (58% vs. 37%).

15. A majority of Israelis think that in the coming months Israel should offer its owndiplomatic initiative to promote the Israeli-Palestinian peace process (55% vs. 30%).

16. The Israeli public sees the option of a package including normalized relations with the Arab world, US security guarantees, and an upgrade of ties with the EU as the most effective incentive to increase support for the peace process. 

 

For the full findings, click here.

For the infographic page, click here.

For infographic slides of each finding, click here.

(Graphic design: Noa Shvartsun) 

 

_________________________________

Dr. Nimrod Goren, Head of the Institute

Mitvim - The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies

11 Tuval St, Ramat Gan 525226, Israel

+972-52-4733613, ngoren@mitvim.org.ilwww.mitvim.org.il

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