SHAREPress Release: Israel Public Opinion Update
Monday, 15 June 2009
For the past four years the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem has conducted an annual Survey of Contemporary Israeli Attitudes Toward World Jewry. It has become the definitive poll which measures Israeli opinions toward Diaspora Jewry and sets policy discussions for the following year.
The survey was conducted in conjunction with the B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage that will be presented on Wednesday, June 17 at the Begin Heritage Center.
What follows are the results of our survey.
Survey Reveals 60% of Israelis Support their Tax Money being used to Provide Basic Services to Jewish Communities in Current Economic Crisis
54% Believe Reform and Conservative Streams and their Rabbis Should Receive Equal Funding
Only 23% of Israelis Believe That American Jewish Organizations are Doing Enough to Bridge the Tension Between US and Israel
In an expression of strong support for Diaspora Jewry, nearly 60% of Israelis supported the notion that their tax money be used to provide basic services like education, healthcare and food to Diaspora Jewish communities that are struggling in light of the recent global economic situation. 36% of those polled were against it. Among the youngest age bracket polled – 18-24 – support stood at a staggering 73%. Ichud Leumi (National Union), SHAS and Likud voters also expressed very strong support at 70% while Kadima and Meretz voters expressed much less support at 49% and 37% respectively.
54% of those polled said they support that the Reform and Conservative streams and their Rabbis should receive equal status and funding in Israel to Orthodox streams and their rabbis. Only 36% expressed opposition to this proposition.
In addition, 44% support the State of Israel recognizing Reform and Conservative conversion while 49% insist that only conversions performed by the Chief Rabbinate should be recognized by the State.
When asked “Recently there have been attempts to define as “Jewish” someone with a Jewish father but not necessarily a Jewish mother as has been the tradition”. 57% chose “A Jew is someone whose mother is Jewish” while only 39% believe that “A Jew is someone whose mother OR father is Jewish.”
46% of the Jewish population in Israel believes that American Jewish organizations are not doing enough to bridge policy differences and ease the tensions between the Obama Administration and the Netanyahu government. Only 23% say the organizations are doing enough on this front.
The survey found that 57% of adult Israeli Jews believe that American organizations that lobby the US Government in support of pro-Israel policies should always support the policies of the current Israeli government while 32% agreed that such organizations are free to openly oppose the policies of the current Israeli government.
Nearly half of the adult Jewish population of Israel believes that the Minister for the Diaspora and Hasbara should represent Israel to Diaspora Jews, while only 25% said that he should primarily represent the Diaspora to Israelis.
When asked whether Diaspora Jewry should consider the opinions of Israelis when deciding issues like who to vote for or which policies impacting Israel’s future to support or oppose, 53% answered “yes.” But, only 40% believe that Israelis should consider the opinions of Diaspora Jewry when deciding issues like who to vote for or which policies impacting Israel’s future to support or oppose.
World Center Director Alan Schneider noted, “Attitudes of Israelis towards the Jewish Diaspora are in constant flux and are impacted by events taking place in both communities which this year is punctuated by reports in the media of a crisis in Israel-US relations due to policy differences and issues pertaining to conversion and the status of non-Orthodox streams of Judaism. Our survey revealed that the Israeli-Diaspora relationship is very important to Israelis. The concern shown by Israelis for the well-being of the Diaspora and their consideration for the opinions voiced by Diaspora Jewry is unique.”
The Israel Public Opinion Update is published on a regular basis and is meant to inform and educate its subscriber base about specific public opinion issues in Israel.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time: research@keevoon.com
Poll Methodology
500 Jewish Israelis
Over 18 years old
Representative sample
4.5% margin of error
9-11 June 2009
Telephone survey
The B’nai B’rith World Center (est.1980) is the permanent and official presence of B’nai B’rith International in Jerusalem and serves as its public affairs arm in Israel. B’nai B’rith International (est. 1843) is the world’s oldest and largest Jewish organization.
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