The Views of Israeli Voters
What are the views of Israelis on a range of subjects, and how do these views relate to their decision on who to vote for in the upcoming elections?
At a time when much of the political and media discourse is personal—focused on the heads of political parties, and on being either “pro-Bibi” or “anti-Bibi”—our work at the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) reveals that in fact, Israelis are very much interested in ideology and viewpoints, and less in a discourse focused on individual candidates (Israeli Voice Index, February 2021).
In February 2021, the IDI’s Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research conducted a survey of Israeli public opinion, examining the views of the Israeli public on the main issues of the day. Since most parties have not publicized a written political platform, and since almost nothing can be heard from politicians on many of the daily issues of interest to citizens, we decided to explore the views of Israelis on a range of subjects, and to examine how these views relate to their decision on who to vote for in the upcoming elections.
. The survey was carried out over the internet and via telephone (to include groups that are under-represented among internet users) between February 22 and February 24, 2021. A total of 914 individuals were interviewed: 717 were interviewed in Hebrew; and 197 in Arabic, constituting a representative sample of the adult Israeli population (aged 18 and above). The maximum sampling error for the total sample is ±3.30%, with a confidence level of 95%. Data collection in Hebrew was conducted by Smith Consulting, and data collection in Arabic, by the Afkar Institute.
Religion and State
Agreement with each Statement (%, entire sample)
Below are the average scores on views on three topics, by political party. The parties were placed on an axis of liberalism vs. conservatism, in which 1 = liberal positions, i.e. - strong support for the three statements, and 4 = conservative positions, strong opposition to these statements. The chart reveals considerable disagreement on each issue, and gaps between the ultra-Orthodox parties and the center-left parties and New Hope. The chart also reveals that these positions are generally liberal among those who have not yet decided for whom to vote, (mean score of 2), and even more liberal than the average positions of the interviewees.
Average Scores on Views on Religion and State (1=liberal views, 4=conservative views)
“In areas in which most residents are secular, it should be permissible to engage in commerce, open places of entertainment, and operate public transportation on Shabbat"(1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
“Civil marriage should be permitted for anyone who wishes” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
: “The State should ensure full equality in the authority granted to the Orthodox and non-Orthodox (Reform and Conservative) streams of Judaism on issues such as conversion, kashrut, and marriage" (Jewish respondents only--1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
Israeli-Palestinian Issues and the Future of Judea and Samaria (West Bank)
This issue has split the State of Israel in general-- and the political system in particular-- for many years, and is the clearest indicator of the differences between Right and Left in the country. We examined the attitudes of the Israeli public on this issue, based on the degree of agreement with three statements: Israeli sovereignty must be applied to all of Judea and Samaria as soon as possible; The government formed after the elections must try and promote the two-state solution; A political agreement that includes the eviction of Jews from their homes in Judea and Samaria should not be promoted.
The Israeli public is split regarding the solution for the territories in Judea and Samaria: A minority supports the application of sovereignty over all the territories of Judea and Samaria (44%), and a slightly higher percentage (50%) believes that the government should promote the two-state solution. In addition, most Israelis (58%) oppose the eviction of Jews from their homes in Judea and Samaria.
Agreement with Statements (%, entire sample)
Average scores on Views on Israeli-Palestinian Issues and the Future of Judea and Samaria (1=pursue two-state solution, 4=annex Judea and Samaria)
“Israeli jurisdiction should be applied to all territories in Judea and Samaria as soon as possible.” ((1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
“The government formed after the upcoming elections should attempt to promote the two-state solution.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
“No agreement with the Palestinians that includes eviction of Jews from their homes in Judea and Samaria should be advanced” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
Social Equality
In order to investigate the attitudes of Israelis regarding social equality, we examined the degree of agreement on three issues: Should every 18-year-old in Israel serve in the army, in national service, or civilian service; Should same-sex couples (LGBT) be given the same rights as heterosexual couples (man and woman); Should the Nationality Law be amended to include the principle of full equality for non-Jewish citizens of the state.
In all three issues, a majority is in favor of promoting equality in Israeli society, although to a different extent. While three-quarters of Israelis agree that every 18-year-old should contribute to the state by performing military, civilian or national service, just over half support amending the Nation State Law so that it guarantees equality to Arab citizens of Israel.
Agreement with Statements (%, entire sample)
Average Scores on Views on Social Equality (1=increase social equality, 4=reduce social equality)
“Every 18-year-old in Israel, both male and female, should perform military, civilian, or national service.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
"Same-sex couples should be granted the same rights as heterosexual couples.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
The Nation-State Law should be amended to include the principle of full equality for non-Jewish citizens of Israel.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
Arab Citizens of Israel
We examined the Israeli public's attitudes towards Arab citizens of Israel, based on the degree of their agreement with three statements: The political regime in Israel is democratic towards Arab citizens; The percentage of Arabs in public service should be increased to reflect their share of the population; It is better for Jews and Arabs in Israel to live separately from one another.
Most Israelis believe that the political regime in Israel is democratic towards the Arab citizens of Israel; just over half indicated that the proportion of Arabs in the public service should be increased to reflect their share of the population, and the majority opposed the residential separation of Jews and Arabs. settlements.
Agreement with Statements (%, entire sample)
Average Score on Views on Issues relating to Arab Citizens of Israel (1=increase equality for Arab citizens , 4=reduce equality for Arab citizens )
The political regime in Israel is democratic towards Arab citizens. (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
Representation of Arabs in public service should be increased, to reflect the relative size of the Arab population in Israel. (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
It is preferable for Jews and Arabs in Israel to live apart from one another.(1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
Separation of Powers Between Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of Government
In recent years, the issue of separation of powers,—on the place of the judiciary t in general and of the Supreme Court in particular, has been the subject of much discussion in the political system and the Israeli media. We examined the degree to which Israelis agree with three statements on this issue: : The power of politicians in the Judicial Selection Committee must be increased; The Supreme Court should have the power to repeal laws enacted by the Knesset, if they are found to be contrary to principles of democracy, such as freedom of expression or equality before the law; Legislative (Knesset) oversight of the Executive (government) must be strengthened.
Most Israelis believe that the Knesset's oversight of government should be strengthened, and that the Supreme Court should have the power to repeal laws enacted by the Knesset, when these are contrary to the principles of democracy. Only a minority (40%) support increasing the power of politicians on the Judicial Selection Committee.
Agreement with Statements (%, entire sample)
Average Score on Views on Issues Relating to the Separation of Powers (1=increase separation of powers, 4=reduce separation of powers)
“The relative power of politicians on the Judicial Appointments Committee should be increased.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
“The Supreme Court should have the power to overturn laws passed by the Knesset, if they are found to contradict democratic principles, such as freedom of expression or equality before the law.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
“The legislative branch (the Knesset) should have greater stronger powers of oversight over the executive branch (the government).” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
Government Corruption
Similar to the issue of separation of powers, government corruption has received widespread attention in the Israeli public, especially in the last two years. To examine the public's positions on the subject, the level of agreement with three statements was examined: The law must stipulate that a person against whom an indictment has been filed on charges of r corruption may not run for Knesset or hold the position of minister; The law must stipulate that a person convicted of a criminal offense will not be able to run for Knesset or hold the position of minister; The French law must be adopted in Israel, according to which a prime minister will not be investigated for a criminal offense until the completion of his term.
About two-thirds of Israelis agree that a person indicted on suspicion of government corruption cannot run for Knesset or hold a ministerial position, and a higher percentage-- three-quarters-- agree that someone who has been convicted of a criminal offense cannot serve in those positions. Most Israelis also oppose the French law, which prohibits a criminal investigation against a prime minister in office, with only a third supporting it.
Agreement with Statements (%, entire sample)
Average Score on Views on Government Corruption (1=increase sanctions against those suspected of corruption, 4=reduce sanctions against those suspected of corruption)
“Legislation should be passed to bar anyone indicted on corruption charges from running for the Knesset or holding a ministerial position.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
“Legislation should be passed to bar anyone convicted for a criminal offense from running for the Knesset or holding a ministerial position.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
“Israel should adopt the ‘French law,’ according to which a prime minister in office cannot be investigated for criminal offenses until his or her term of office has concluded.” (1=strongly agree, 4=strongly disagree)
