51% of Israelis not optimistic about 'Israel’s' future: Report

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Jan 2023 12:42
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Israelis' sense that the occupation authorities are able to ensure their security has plunged to 38% from 76% in 2020.

Israeli settlers protesting against Benjamin Netanyahu's government in "Tel Aviv" (Flash90)

The so-called Israeli "Democracy" Index for 2022 revealed that the majority of Israelis are not optimistic about "Israel’s" future.

Conducted by the so-called "Israel" Democracy Institute, the report showed that only "49% of Israelis are optimistic about Israel’s future – down from 76% in 2012."

The report revealed that Israelis' sense that the occupation authorities are able to ensure their security has plunged to 38% from 76% in 2020.

The so-called Israeli "Democracy" Index also highlighted some decline among Israelis in the sense of belonging to "Israel" and its problems. Between 2003-2012, 83.9% of Israeli felt that they belong to "Israel" and its problems, while between 2013-2022, the percentage decreased to 77.2%, as per the report.

In the same context, Israeli occupation President Isaac Herzog said on Sunday that he sought to avert a looming constitutional crisis after being criticized for not joining efforts to stop Benjamin Netanyahu's government’s "judicial" and "legal" reforms.

Earlier in the month, Israeli occupation "Justice" Minister Yariv Levin announced a controversial plan to hand more powers to lawmakers in appointing judges and overriding supreme court decisions.

The Israeli occupation is now "in the grips of a profound disagreement" that threatens it, Herzog indicated.

"I respect the criticism toward me, but I am now focused on two critical roles that I believe I bear as President at this hour: averting a historic constitutional crisis and stopping the continued rift" within "Israel", he added.

According to Herzog, the so-called Israeli "justice" system should not be affected by political intrusion.

"Over the past week, I have been working full time, by every means, making nonstop efforts with the relevant parties, with the aim of creating wide-reaching, attentive, and respectful discussion and dialogue, which I hope will yield results," the occupation President claimed, pointing out that he was not certain of the success of his endeavor.

Herzog's statement comes a day after Israeli settlers took to the streets in "Tel Aviv", Haifa, and Al-Quds. The Israeli occupation forces estimated that some 20,000 Israelis took to the streets of "Tel Aviv" on Saturday to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, with the organizers claiming there were "several tens of thousands" of protesters. It was revealed that some 80,000 took to the streets.

Following his November 1 election win, Netanyahu took office late last month at the head of a coalition with extreme-right and Zionist parties, some of whose officials now head key ministries. The new occupation government has announced intentions to pursue a policy of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.