COMPETING VALUES AND POLICY CHOICES - ISRAELI PUBLIC-OPINION ON FOREIGN AND SECURITY AFFAIRS

Value hierarchies structure people's position on specific issues when values are in conflict. This general proposition is tested using surve ys of Israeli public opinion on issues relating to the Israeli-Arab co nflict. Value priorities are shown to be politically and ideologically structured, and not random, with certain value combinations more prev alent and more enduring than others. Most importantly, we establish th at people's value hierarchies significantly structure policy preferenc es and changes therein. The more salient or acute the value conflict, the greater the correspondence between hierarchy and preference. This value trade-off approach presents a picture of Israeli public opinion which is very different from that usually portrayed: of a population f irmly supporting a Jewish majority in their state, with a very strong desire for peace. The values of land and democracy are shown to be muc h less important.