Polarized public agenda in times of crisis

This study examines public priorities during crises in a polarized political environment and sheds light on the conditions under which crises and political polarization unite or fragment public attention. Using longitudinal cross-sectional data collected before and after two crises in Israel in 2023–2024 – an internal constitutional crisis and an external security crisis – we assess shifts in overall and partisan public attention. Our findings reveal that crises significantly reorient public priorities: the constitutional crisis heightened the focus on government operations and the cultural identity of the country, while the security crisis shifted attention to defense and international affairs. However, only the latter crisis reduced the diversity of public attention. The results underscore a partisan dimension: the constitutional crisis amplified divides in priorities between pro- and anti-government camps, while the security crisis mitigated these divides through a unifying rally of attention. Trust in government emerged as a key mediator in this rally effect. These findings contribute to the agenda-setting literature by highlighting the differential impacts of crises on public priorities and demonstrating the interplay of polarization, trust, and type of crisis.