60% of Israelis fear growing political polarization could turn violent and potentially lead to a civil war, with majority calling Israel’s internal rift the greatest threat to the country’s future.By World Israel News StaffA majority of Israelis view internal polarization and social division as the most dangerous threat to the country’s continued existence, according to the Jewish People Policy Institute’s annual report on the state of Israeli society.The report, released on Sunday as part of JPPI’s annual conference, is based on surveys and analysis conducted by the institute over the past year, along with dedicated polling.According to the report, 55% of Israelis say polarization and internal disagreement is the most serious threat to the country’s future, ahead of Iran’s nuclear program, cited by 23%, and the conflict with the Palestinians, cited by 18%.The report also found that 60% of Israelis agree that there is currently a real danger of bloodshed and physical violence inside the country which could lead to civil war.JPPI President Prof. Yedidia Stern said the findings show that Israeli society remains resilient but deeply divided.“Israeli society is indeed showing resilience, determination and optimism,” Stern said, noting a rise in the institute’s hope index. “But at the same time, it is functioning as a fractured, polarized society suffering from deep existential anxiety over structural disintegration.”Stern said the issue of national cohesion should be placed at the top of Israel’s public agenda.“Public leaders must act in every way to place the issue of cohesion in Israeli society at the top of the national priority list,” he said. “This is the central issue that should occupy whoever is chosen to lead the coalition after the coming elections.”The report’s “hope index” rose to 7.13 out of 10, up from 6.48 the previous year. JPPI said 60% of Israelis are optimistic about the country’s future, 75% assume their family and friends will continue living in Israel, and about two-thirds believe Israel is the right place for their children and grandchildren.But the report said the average conceals a wide ideological gap. Supporters of the political right registered a hope score of 9.05, while supporters of the left registered a score of 3.67.The institute’s “closeness index,” which measures feelings of connection between different groups in Israeli society, fell to 5.51 from 5.95 the previous year. The report said political affiliation is now the main factor preventing Israelis from feeling close to one another, more than nationality, ethnicity or origin.Left-wing respondents rated their closeness to right-wing respondents at 1.25 out of 10. Right-wing respondents rated their closeness to left-wing respondents at 3.48.The ultra-Orthodox sector received the lowest average closeness rating among population groups, with a score of 3.79. By comparison, Arab citizens received an overall closeness rating of 4.28. Secular respondents rated their closeness to the ultra-Orthodox at 1.81 out of 10.The report also found broad public support for drafting ultra-Orthodox into the military, with 80% of the public backing conscription. However, 79% of ultra-Orthodox respondents opposed enlistment, even when offered separate frameworks adapted to their community’s way of life.On security issues, JPPI said public trust in the IDF’s senior command reached 82% following the shift to a direct regional campaign and the change of IDF chiefs of staff.At the same time, the public was more skeptical about Israel’s achievements in Gaza than about its handling of the campaigns against Iran and Lebanon. Most Israelis believe Hamas rule in Gaza will continue in some form, and expressed disappointment that the “Trump plan” for Gaza has not yet led to Hamas disarmament or significant reconstruction, despite the completion of a ceasefire and the return of the hostages.The report said the war has moved the Jewish public rightward. The share of respondents identifying as “deep right” rose from 11% before the war to 19% today. Among young people who identified before the war as “left close to the center,” 49% said they had moved to the right.On the state budget, JPPI said most respondents with an opinion view the budget as a political document tilted toward coalition needs. They support significant cuts to government ministries, coalition funds and sectoral budgets directed to the ultra-Orthodox sector.The report also found deep concern among Israelis over global antisemitism. At the height of the wave of campus protests in the US, 87% of survey respondents said they were worried about the issue.Half of the public said global antisemitism is coming with similar intensity from both ends of the political spectrum, from the far left and the far right.Most Israeli Jews said immigration to Israel is the solution for Diaspora Jews. According to the report, 66% of Israeli Jews recommend Aliyah, while 71% of right-wing respondents and 49% of the Jewish public as a whole said they would recommend that Diaspora Jews move to Israel under any circumstances.Among Jews, 36% said Israel is “not Jewish enough,” while 42% of secular respondents said Israel is “too Jewish.”On the Palestinian issue, 49% of Jews supported strengthening Israeli control in the territories and expanding settlements, while 66% of Arab respondents supported a two-state solution.The post Study: Israelis say civil war a greater threat than Iran appeared first on World Israel News.