Democracy & Rights

Democracy & Rights

Featured Story

“Who is a Jew” is Back!

“Who is a Jew” is Back!

02/12/2022 00:10

In recent days, there have been reports in the media from the coalition negotiation rooms that the Likud has accepted the demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties to change the law in a way that will prevent those who converted in Israel outside the Chief Rabbinate from receiving recognition as Jews, even at the civil level. This is not only a change to a long-standing ruling recognizing Reform and Conservative conversions in Israel, but also a step that is directed against Modern Orthodox conversions from the past few years, which are aimed at facilitating conversions of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

Full Story »


More Stories

Religious Freedom and Equality after the Elections

Religious Freedom and Equality after the Elections

Uri Regev 11/04/2019 22:29

The 2019 Knesset elections are over, but not much has been written about their potential impact on matters of religion & state and Israel-Diaspora relations. Hiddush polling shows that approximately 2/3 of Israeli Jews would prefer a civil government that does not depend upon the ultra-Orthodox parties.

An increase in Haredi MKs – not in public support.

An increase in Haredi MKs – not in public support.

11/04/2019 21:45

Hiddush provides context and more accurate understanding of what may appear to onlookers from the Diaspora as growing support for the ultra-Orthodox political parties due to the increase from 13 to 16.

65% Israelis want a civil government

65% Israelis want a civil government

22/03/2019 10:49

65% of the adult Jewish public wants a civil government, which is not dependent on the ultra-Orthodox parties, and which could promote freedom of religion and equality of the civic burden.

Agunah Day: For women in Israel, marriage is captivity

Agunah Day: For women in Israel, marriage is captivity

20/03/2019 11:43

Dr. Susan Weiss, Esq., Executive Director of the Center for Women's Justice, writes a powerful article for 2019 International Agunah Day. In the spirit of the Book of Esther she challenges the common sense regarding agunot – Jewish women held, like Esther, in marital captivity.

63% want a civil Coalition without Haredi parties

63% want a civil Coalition without Haredi parties

21/02/2019 15:49

After the drama and the clarification of the political map, the public expects to hear more than rhetoric from the right and the left. The Jewish public wants the parties to promote freedom of religion and equality of the burden - not just crumbs such as providing public transportation on the Sabbath.

"Israel is losing the Jewish people"

Uri Regev 19/02/2019 16:27

Former Israeli MFA Deputy Director General for North America, Baruch Bina, published an article in Hebrew titled ‘Israel is losing the Jewish people’. Hiddush shares some of its key assertions and observations in English here.

52% more likely to vote for a party that commits to religious freedom

52% more likely to vote for a party that commits to religious freedom

31/01/2019 23:39

64% of undecided voters said that they are more likely to vote for a party that will commit itself to promoting freedom of religion and equality of civic burden. So too, 52% of the adult Jewish public.

2018 Israel Peace Index Supports Hiddush's consistent findings

2018 Israel Peace Index Supports Hiddush's consistent findings

24/01/2019 22:51

Often, the online comments on Hiddush's survey findings validate the well-known phrase: Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up. These individuals rudely reject our data as specious, but the Israel Democracy Institute's 2018 Peace Index unsurprisingly supports Hiddush's findings and analysis.

What they do not see: Rabbinate and marriages in Israel

What they do not see: Rabbinate and marriages in Israel

Uri Regev 18/01/2019 14:44

The Religious Services Ministry refuses to acknowledge the fact that growing circles reject the Rabbinate and prefer alternative marriages.

Money laundering and white collar crimes in the Haredi community

Money laundering and white collar crimes in the Haredi community

02/01/2019 22:50

Both in Israel and in the USA, money laundering is a common phenomenon in the ultra-Orthodox community.

Kosher slaughter now illegal in Belgium

Kosher slaughter now illegal in Belgium

Uri Regev 01/01/2019 21:31

With the turn of 2019, kosher slaughter in the northern Flanders region of Belgium, home to half of the country’s Jewish population and a major supplier of meat for European Jewish communities, became officially illegal.

Report: Haredi employment is down; Haredi poverty is up

Report: Haredi employment is down; Haredi poverty is up

Sagi Agmon 21/12/2018 00:05

Data from the Israel Democracy Institute's 2018 Statistical Report on Ultra-Orthodox Society in Israel supports Hiddush's data and analysis on the growing trend of ultra-Orthodox men studying in yeshivas instead of entering the workforce, as poverty rates rise.

International Human Rights Day survey: Israelis support marriage freedom

International Human Rights Day survey: Israelis support marriage freedom

09/12/2018 09:40

On December 10th the world is marking International Human Rights day. Hiddush looked into one of the main violations of human rights in Israel, which ironically mostly harms Jews: The right to marry!

Shaked won: The 'Jewish' has beaten the 'democratic'

Shaked won: The 'Jewish' has beaten the 'democratic'

Sagi Agmon 22/11/2018 21:24

It happened just this week. With little ado, the Supreme Court overturned a 25-year ruling and told the Rabbinical Courts that they could do whatever they please because the laws of the state no longer really apply to them.

Hiddush in the service of world Jewry

Hiddush in the service of world Jewry

Uri Regev 16/11/2018 22:48

Every so often, Hiddush receives requests for assistance from outside of Israel. One recent appeal is particularly interesting and important, and we will continue to report on it again as it develops.

Take Action!

Go to Top ^