Hiddush survey ahead of the “change coalition” in Israel
59% of Israeli public opposes ultra-Orthodox parties in coalition
Against the background of the “change government” that is taking shape and news regarding Bennet and Lapid hoping to add the ultra-Orthodox to their coalition, the question as to whether the ultra-Orthodox parties should be included in the coalition arises again.
01/06/2021 21:59
Tags: Hiddush polls · Haredi parties · Haredim · coalition · government
MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni, source: Wikipedia
A special survey conducted by the Smith Polling Institute for Hiddush - for Religious Freedom and Equality shows that 59% of Israel’s adult Jewish public answered the following question in the negative:
"Are you for or against including the ultra-Orthodox parties in the government coalition, and accepting their demands on matters of religion and state, such as: exemptions from enlistment, budget allocations, the Sabbath, conversion, and the appointment of their representatives to manage government ministries and the Knesset Finance Committee?"
Opposition to including the ultra-Orthodox parties in the Coalition and/or surrendering to their demands has consistently risen in surveys commissioned by Hiddush in recent years; and this view is held by the majority of voters for all parties expected to be part of the "change coalition" - 94% of Yesh Atid voters, 67% of Blue & White voters, 95% of Yisrael Beiteinu voters, 88% of Labor voters, 90% of Meretz voters, 82% of New Hope voters, and even 53% of Yamina voters. Click here for a graph of these data.
According to the news, agreement has been reached by at least some of the “change government” partners to promote a number of reforms on religion and state. Hiddush’s survey shows that these changes enjoy the support of a large majority of Israel’s adult Jewish public: for example, 70% support the operation of public transportation on the Sabbath (39% support full operation, like on weekdays, and 31% favor operating it on a limited basis, using smaller vehicles and only on main routes). Only 30% oppose this.
In contrast to the frequent claim of politicians who prevent public transportation on the Sabbath that this is due to the significant sector of traditional Israel Jews, 59% of the “traditional-religious” Israeli public supports allowing the operation of public transportation on Saturdays, and so does 81% of the “traditional-non-religious” public. 94% of the secular public is in support, as is 31% of the Zionist Orthodox public . It should be emphasized that most of the voters of all the parties in the emerging “change coalition” support this, including 61% of Yamina voters. It should also be noted that so do 65% of Likud voters.
After many years of surrendering to the dictates of the ultra-Orthodox parties, in sheer contradiction to the principles of freedom of religion, pluralism and gender equality guaranteed in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, there is anticipation and support for a new era in the realm of religion and state among the majority of the Israeli public.
The majority of Israel’s adult Jewish public also supports revoking the Chief Rabbinate's monopoly on conversion: 60% support this [35% who want the state to recognize all conversions conducted by the mainstream Jewish denominations, including Reform and Conservative, as well as the 25% who want the recognition of Orthodox conversions carried out by Modern Orthodoxy rabbinical courts, which the Chief Rabbinate refuses to recognize]
After many years of surrendering to the dictates of the ultra-Orthodox parties, in sheer contradiction to the principles of freedom of religion, pluralism and gender equality guaranteed in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, there is anticipation and support for a new era in the realm of religion and state among the majority of the Israeli public. Hiddush’s numerous surveys over the last two years prove, without exception, that there is majority support for all aspects of 'freedom of religion and conscience', as well as 'equality regardless of religion, race and gender'.
We hope that gradually, but consistently, the new government, if it materializes, will advance not only public transportation on weekends and the abolition of the Chief Rabbinate's monopoly, but also all the issues, which the ultra-Orthodox parties have extorted from their coalition partners to the detriment of Israeli democracy and civil liberties. These include freedom of marriage, enforcement of core curricular studies, equal enlistment, prohibition of gender exclusion, and more.
The public wants to see a broad civic coalition, and the expected overhauling of the relationship between religion and state in Israel will not only reflect the will of the majority of the public, but will also strengthen the identity of the State of Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state” and help alleviate the growing tension between Israel and world Jewry.
The survey was conducted by the Smith Polling Institute between May 11-12, 2021 among 500 people as a representative sample of the adult Jewish population in Israel (ages 18 and up). Sampling error ± 4.5%