Poll: Most Israeli Jews do not support ultra-Orthodox parties' demands
Nearly two-thirds of adult Israeli Jews support forming a broad coalition after the next elections without ultra-Orthodox parties, or with their participation but without accepting their demands on state policy in religious matters. This is according to an annual survey by the Hiddush organization, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Position on conscription
The study was conducted by the Smith Polling Institute on behalf of Hiddush, an organization advocating for religious freedom and equality in Israel. The survey involved 800 men and women aged 18 and over, selected as a representative sample of the country's Jewish population.
According to the survey, 84% of respondents supported conscripting yeshiva students in some form. In particular, 51% believe all of them should complete full regular or required service, while 31% favor an annual exemption quota for the most successful students, with the rest to be drafted.
Full exemption of all yeshiva students from military service was supported by 16% of respondents, compared with 25% who held this position in 2022. Another 66% of survey participants supported the High Court's and attorney general's decision to strengthen sanctions against yeshiva students who do not enlist. Such measures include ending state subsidies and increasing the number of arrests.
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School funding and equality in education
Respondents also largely approved cutting state funding for ultra-Orthodox schools that do not teach core subjects or conduct external examinations. A total of 55% favored completely ending funding, while another 21% supported cutting funds by half.
About 77% of respondents believe ties between educational institutions and political parties should be completely severed. Among those who expressed a position on differences in state funding for religious Jewish, general Jewish and Arab schools, 70% supported eliminating discrimination and providing full equality in funding for all students regardless of religion or race.
Hiddush said the findings demonstrate a significant gap between the government's claims of representing the will of the people and the views of the majority of the adult Jewish population.
