Large majority of Israelis say Israeli society deeply divided – poll

A survey by the US-based Jewish advocacy group ADL finds a large majority of Israelis are worried about the divides in their society.

Nearly two-thirds, 64 percent, say Israeli society is either “divided” or “very divided.” Only 7% say Israeli society is “unified” or “very unified.”

And Israel will still be very divided in thirty years, 57% affirm.

The survey comes ahead of the Israel 2048 conference on social solidarity slated to take place in Tel Aviv on October 24.

Politicians are the most widely seen culprits for society’s rifts, according to fully 75% of respondents. They are followed by the “traditional media” (73%), new or social media (67%), rabbis and the religious establishment (67%), and the judiciary (42%).

About one in five Israelis (21%) blames Diaspora Jewry for contributing to social division, while a larger 51% say Diaspora Jews should have “little” or “very little” say in decision-making in the country.

The poll was conducted by the Maagar Mohot research institute and was conducted with a representative sample of 510 Israelis.