Around half of the Jewish public (49%) believes Jewish journalists more than Arab journalists, according to an opinion poll conducted by Dr. Mina Zemach in cooperation with the Mossawa Center and MK Yuli Tamir (Labor).
The number of those who believe Jewish journalists is highest among discharged soldiers and the ultra-orthodox public ages of 22-25, and senior citizens 66 years. Higher numbers were also found among the Likud (57%), Shas (57%), Shinui (57%), and the Nationalist Union (60%).
The number of those who believe journalists from the two sectors, Arab and Jewish, in equal degrees is relatively higher among Yachad (71%) and the National Religious Party (53%).
Arab journalists should be censored and searched
Around two thirds of the sample (62%) thinks that the current censorship of Arab journalists should be maintained. Around a quarter of respondents (24%) think that censorship on Arab journalists should be increased. Support for increased censorship on Arab journalists is highest among the ultra-orthodox, native Israelis, Likud supporters (63%), and Shas (49%). Support for relaxed censorship is highest among conservatives, secularists, and Yachad supporters (49%).
Some 68% percent of Jewish youth of enlistment age expressed racist attitudes towards Arab journalists. One out of every seven respondents (14%) think that censorship on Arab journalists should be increased, compared to only 3% of respondents who think that censorship on Jewish journalists should be increased.
Equal freedom of the press for Jews and Arabs
A large majority (76% of Jews, 93% of Arabs) support equality. Support for equality is relatively higher among Yachad supporters (94%), Labor supporters (91%), and Shinui supporters (88%). Support for equality is lowest among Shas supporters, only 49% of whom support equality, compared to 43% who support increased censorship on Arab journalists.
The poll surveyed a sample of 501 people representing the population of Israel . The poll was conducted over telephone using structured interviews. Interviews were conducted on November 8-9, and the sample was chosen for particular social segments of the population: immigrants, settlers, residents of kibbutzim Jews and Arabs, and geographic location.
Mossawa Center : Regime failure; MK Yuli Tamir: Educational failure
Commenting on the findings, Amal Ziadeh, the Mossawa Center 's advocacy coordinator in the Knesset, said that the findings increase fears that the phenomenon may spread to include other ethnic groups of the Israeli population. “Attacks on Arab journalists do not stop there, but will affect Israeli journalism as a whole,” she said. “Attacks on freedom of the press are expected to increase if the state's top leadership does not show the necessary concern. This is the essence of a healthy society, if the society really wants to be healthy.”
In light of the findings, MK Yuli Tamir said, “The findings show why the Jewish public remains silent about the brazen attacks on journalism when it is a matter of Arab journalists. Half of Jewish society believes in racist principles and depriving freedom of the press from one segment of society. This will endanger democracy in all parts of society. The findings of the poll also testify to a serious failure of the educational system. The state of Israel is not teaching its youth the principles of equality, respect, and trust for its Arab citizens.” |