A survey published by Israel TV channel 2 shows 56% of Israeli-Arabs think condemning Saudi Arabia for blacklisting Hezbollah as a terrorist organization was not justified.

By Shoshana Miskin

Most Israeli Arabs think that the Joint List Knesset members do not properly represent them, according to a survey published by Channel 2.

According to the survey, which was completed by 350 people from the Arab sector alone, 56% believe that the Arab MKs do not represent them or represent them to a lesser extent.

On the other hand, 40% Israel’s Arab citizenry feel that the Joint List MKs represent them quite or considerably well.

When asked about the Joint List’s condemnation of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States for labeling Hezbollah a terrorist organization, 56% said the move was not justified, compared with 19% who said that it was.

When asked about the three MKs of the Arab Joint List party who met with the family members of Arab terrorists, including terrorists who have murdered Israelis during the recent wave of attacks, most of the respondents claimed that the move was not a mistake.

Arab mayor of Nazareth heckles Arab party leader MK Ayman Odeh on Live TV

Only 17% thought it was a mistake of the Knesset members to meet with the families and hold a moment of silence and prayer for the dead terrorists.

The apparently conflicting responses may stem from inter-Muslim sectarian sentiment as opposed to “moderate” vs “extremist” stances.

Israel’s Arab population is overwhelmingly Sunni, which makes it unsurprising they would view the Shia Hezbollah – which has played a key role in fighting Sunni rebel in Syria – with hostility. On the other hand, sympathy with the families of Arab “martyrs” killed attacking Israeli Jews would not necessarily conflict with such opinions.

View original Arutz Sheva publication at:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209243#.VuH005x966o