Exposure to indirect terrorism and support for violence: evidence from an Israeli-Palestinian experiment

Background How does exposure to indirect, cyber mediated terrorism reshape political aggression within democracies? While extensive research documents the political consequences of direct terrorism, far less is known about how cyber-mediated indirect exposure influences attitudes toward domestic political actors. We argue that cyber exposure does not merely heighten fear or generalized threat perception; rather, it can redirect anger inward, increasing support for violence against elected representatives. Methods To test this claim, we conducted a two-phase (pilot and main) randomized survey experiment among 900 Israeli Jewish respondents designed to be representative of Israeli adults (Mage = 41.7, SD = 15.54) exposed to nationally framed or individually framed cyber-mediated terrorist threats. We evaluate a mediation model in which emotional responses link exposure to support for violence against domestic politicians. Results The findings reveal that exposure to cyber-mediated indirect terrorism significantly increased support for violence against political leaders. Crucially, this effect operated primarily through anger, not stress or perceived threat. We identify an anger-driven inward redirection mechanism linking cyber-mediated terrorism exposure to support for violence against domestic politicians. Conclusion These findings suggest that exposure to indirect terrorism on cyber platforms is a critical phenomenon that can substantially impact political outcomes by shaping individuals political attitudes. This highlights the potential for cyber-mediated threats to influence public opinion and underscores the importance of addressing their psychological and political implications.