Poll: One-third of Israelis think about leaving

Poll by Israel's Channel 2 reveals sense of despondency among many residents. Though most would never leave, attitudes on emigration soften.

By Haaretz and Lior Dattel | Sep. 7, 2014

Some 30 percent of Israelis would seriously consider leaving if they could, according to a poll commissioned by Israel's Channel 2, Israeli website Globes reported Sunday.

While the majority – 56 percent - responded that they would not leave Israeli even if they had the opportunity to do so, emigration is no longer the stigma in Israel it once was. Only 36 percent of respondents said they had a negative view of emigrants, according to Globes. The remainder was either neutral about emigration or even viewed it positively.

"I came to the conclusion that I simply couldn't take it anymore," explained Elad, who moved to Munich, Globes reported. "I can't explain it, but in Israel there's a feeling… I wouldn't say that there's no future, but that there's pressure, severe pressure all the time, wherever it comes from - rockets, taxes, the atmosphere in the streets, the overdraft at the bank. One day I just said to myself that I'd like something else."

The survey was conducted for Channel 2's Ulplan Shishi program.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/1.614514