On June 30, 2023, Haifa hosted the next expert meeting of the Haifa Format project. Experts and bloggers gathered to discuss the results of sociological research conducted by the NGO “Dor Moria”. Bloggers who have the ability to deliver information to a significant audience. And this audience is not just from Israel. These are the people who have hundreds of thousands of views and hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. People who can host hours-long streamings with tens of thousands of participants. They create an opportunity to discuss pressing issues in contemporary Israeli society. These are literally Leaders of Public Opinion (LOM) who influence the information agenda.
Sociology as a tool
Officially, the meeting’s task was to discuss the results of two Israel-wide sociological surveys commissioned by Dor Moriah:
- “Challenges to the Security of the State of Israel in the Context of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict”
- “Public opinion poll among Israelis: attitudes toward legal reform”.
But the main topic of the expert discussion was the formation of public opinion. How to ensure Israel’s neutrality, including in the situation of the Ukrainian conflict.
The results of a sociological survey show the attitude of Israelis to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. 56% of Israelis fear a deterioration in relations with Russia. Only 9% of respondents fear a deterioration in relations with the US. This alone shows that for Israelis, Israel’s neutrality is a strategic value.
Popular protests or color revolution?
The results of the second study showed that Israel’s neutrality and security could be undermined from within. No one has canceled the technology of color revolutions. Today, elements of these disruptive technologies can be seen with the naked eye. And in the internal political battles in Israel, both in the elites and on the street. Which are accompanied by pressure on the government of Israel from various states.
According to Dor Moriah’s research, 63% of respondents believe that some kind of reform of the Israeli legal system is necessary. Only 4% of Israelis participate in demonstrations on a regular basis. 89% of respondents do not participate or participate occasionally. Nearly 76% of respondents agree or partially agree that the current crisis is systemic. This crisis affects all areas of Israeli public life.
A reasonable question arises. Are the mass protests against judicial reform and their media coverage technologies of color revolutions?
Platform for neutrality
The technologies of controlled chaos need to be countered at the informational, analytical and legislative levels. The acute developmental problems of Israeli society should not be instruments of its destruction. They should be the motive for Israel’s social development.
Participants in the regular Haifa Format meeting discussed the creation of instruments to influence political decision-making. One of the tasks of a top blogger as a leader of public opinion was formulated. Translating the destructive emotions of opposing sides into a subject for public and analytical discussion.
The experts suggested the creation of a single platform under the auspices of the NGO’s Dor Moria project. Top bloggers with a wide audience, a think tank and a future lobby in the Knesset. Lobby on Israeli neutrality, using European Switzerland as an example.
Participants noted that without debate and proper language, any problem becomes insoluble. This is why creating a platform for debates on pressing issues in Israeli society, becomes an urgent need.
It is significant to bring into the debate on Israel’s neutrality, Israeli LOMs who hold a different point of view. We do not need to transfer the Russian-Ukrainian conflict from the territory of Ukraine to the territory of Israel. We need to lower the degree of civil strife within Israel.
One expert articulated Israel’s optimal policy. Strengthening humanitarian assistance to the parties to the conflict, and peacekeeping activities to resolve it as soon as possible.
Conclusions and decisions
Several decisions were made as a result of the meeting. Solutions to help attract top bloggers to the Haifa Format project:
- Participation of opinion leaders and top bloggers in shaping the objectives of sociological research;
- Active involvement of top bloggers in the work of the Analytical Center;
- Creating an information pool of LOMs and top bloggers who support the idea of Israel’s neutrality and security;
- Participate in hosting events in various lobbies in the Knesset;
- Drafting a public discussion platform “Debate for Israel” for ongoing discussion of issues in Israeli society.
Participants expressed a common view and the need to reduce social tensions among Israelis. This process will also have a positive impact on the Internet space in the former Soviet Union.