THE USE OF FORCE - ISRAELI PUBLIC-OPINION ON MILITARY OPTIONS

This article analyzes Israeli attitudes toward the use of force over t he period from 1988 to 1994. Based on nine public opinion polls of Isr ael's Jewish population, it explores public trends on three dimensions of force use-conventional war, Intifada, and terrorism-and contribute s new data to the theoretical and empirical debate over the stability and rationality of public opinion. Following the presentation of an ag gregate analysis of general public attitudes, party affiliation and so cioeconomic variables are examined for their relationship to the viewp oints of the respondents. The profiles of those holding extreme views on military force are investigated as well. In general, Israeli attitu des toward the use of force were stable over time, and Israelis were c autious in their support of using force. Indeed, the findings strength en the claim that public opinion can constrain belligerent leaders, al though it can be manipulated to support limited uses of force.