God, land and politics: As Israel heads to elections, where do religious Israelis stand?
Rossella Tercatin is The Times of Israel's archaeology and religions reporter.In August 2023, Agam Labs, directed by Hebrew University researcher Nimrod Nir, surveyed thousands of Israelis on a number of topics, including their political preferences. Less than two months later, the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023, marked a political cataclysm for the country. In its wake, the lab has continually surveyed some 2,000 Israelis, including participants from the original study.According to Nir, while October 7 and the ensuing wars have had a huge impact on Israeli society at large, the religious community — a mix of Religious Zionism and Haredim — was probably least affected by these events politically.“Their ideology and their political identification are attached to their religious beliefs, which are much more stable,” Nir said.In the last election, held in November 2022, the party called Religious Zionism ran on a joint ticket with Otzma Yehudit and Noam,…
A survey by Agam Labs, directed by Hebrew University researcher Nimrod Nir, indicates that while the October 7 attacks significantly impacted Israeli society, the political views of the religious community, including Religious Zionists and Haredim, remained largely stable due to their strong connection to religious beliefs. Despite the prominence of hardline politicians like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, who advocate for West Bank settlements and Jewish power, recent polls suggest a disconnect between these leaders and the broader religious demographic. Demographer Sergio DellaPergola noted that the Religious Zionism party struggles to meet the electoral threshold, indicating a gap in representation.
- Surveys reveal a significant ideological divide on the issue of religion and state, with 83% of religious respondents opposing separation.
- When asked about Israel's character, 26% of religious respondents favored governance by Jewish law (halacha), and 53% preferred a Jewish and democratic state where the Jewish aspect takes precedence.
- Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian question, 65% of religious respondents supported extending Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, and 23% favored expanding major settlement blocs.
- Religious respondents were also the least likely to support sanctions against violent settlers, with 69% opposing them.
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