Dr. Orly Bareket and her colleagues at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev recently published the results of a North American survey. It uncovers a far more disturbing trend: a lot of us think that women should come first in hostage crises. The survey quickly became the most widely circulated representative poll of Jewish Israeli adults. It was taken immediately following the first of the November 2023 hostage exchanges. Their findings revealed that an overwhelming 77% of respondents indicated that they supported releasing women prior to men. That feeling is a perfect encapsulation of what’s happened in this rapidly unfolding crisis.
Following the survey, a temporary ceasefire in November 2023 facilitated the release of most women and children, reinforcing the public’s preference for prioritizing female hostages. That emerging trend continued into the first quarter of 2025. Amidst all of this, a second deal highlighted this obvious preference to negotiate for adult women rather than adult men.
Insights from the Survey
Dr. Bareket’s research aimed to delve into the moral assumptions, gender norms, and ideological frameworks that influence how individuals assess the value of lives during crises. The survey’s results were recently published in the Communications Psychology journal and are available online with DOI 10.1038/s44271-025-00279-6.
That enormous support for putting women first goes deeper than the surface level emotions. It pointed to more profound cultural views related to gender expectations and moral duties in crises. Finally, perhaps surprising, was a deep and alarming response by many that prioritized women and children simply for being more vulnerable. This censorship underscores how cultural narratives about gender overwhelmingly affect public perceptions on important life-and-death decisions.
As you look at this data, remember that these perspectives were heard over and over again regardless of demographic. This trend is true among the Jewish Israeli population. This wide-ranging agreement highlights both a family and international duty to protect women and children, especially in times of conflict.
Impact of Ceasefires on Hostage Releases
By November 2023, a major recent temporary ceasefire helped usher in a turning point to the hostage crisis. … it resulted in the release of thousands of women and children. This event was watched around the world and coordinated perfectly with the vocal public outcry that arose calling for female hostages to be prioritized. The impact of this ceasefire was far-reaching, as it didn’t only provide immediate humanitarian relief, but challenged and changed beliefs about appropriate gender roles in society.
In the aftermath of the ceasefire, the landscape of negotiation strategies shifted dramatically. The new contracts even more leaned towards catering to adult women and away from adult men. The second hostage deal in January 2025 brought this fact into sharp relief. It further confirmed the results of Dr. Bareket’s survey.
The prioritization of gender first calls for a reflection on how societal values shape decision-making processes during crises. As negotiations are ever-changing, volatile, and fluid, knowing these behind-the-scenes dynamics is critical for policymakers and practitioners engaged in the delicate enterprise of conflict resolution.
The Broader Implications
Dr. Bareket and her team, through a national survey, provide important insights. Moral and ethical values not surprisingly, what’s moral and ethical often drives the public’s emotional response to hostage crises. Together, these findings illustrate a positive and continuing saga that advances the lives of women. This change undoubtedly reflects broader cultural shifts in how we perceive gender equity and women’s progression.
In light of all this, leaders and negotiators would do well to read the mood of public opinion. It is critical as they chart a course through these interconnected crises. Consistent support for making women a priority creates the sweetest, biggest opportunity. We can better meet communities where they are and better center their values in our negotiation strategy.
This is remarkable trend happening at warp speed. It would be a monumental step, not only for future hostage negotiations, but for public policy decisions that concern issues of gender in violent, contested spaces. Gender, morality, and public opinion This is where researchers and advocates will want to concentrate almost completely. This topic is sure to be a hot research topic in the years ahead.
