Hiddush Poll: 43% of the Israeli Jewish public support Lapid’s entry into political life

34% of the respondents said they are very likely or somewhat likely to vote for a new party that will advance religious freedom and the equal shouldering of civic responsibilities. Hiddush president, Rabbi Uri Regev: “There is great eagerness among Israelis for a new political leader that will focus on religious freedom and equality”.

16/01/2012 14:14

Tags: Yair Lapid · Knesset · Israel Religion and State Index

Yair Lapid, Credit, Miriam Alaster, Flash 90

43% of the Jewish public in Israel [55% of secular Jews] supports the entry of Yair Lapid into political life, of which 24% would like to see him lead an independent party, and 19% - as part of an existing party. A 100% of the ultra-Orthodox do not support it. These findings were part of the 2011 Israel Religion and State Index, conducted by the Smith Research Institute for Hiddush – Freedom of Religion for Israel, Inc., which was published in September.

The president of Hiddush, Rabbi Uri Regev, Esq., says, “The results of the study prove that there is great eagerness among Israelis for a new political leader that will focus on religious freedom and equality. The public desires a civil government coalition that is essential for pursuing a civil national agenda. Netanyahu has not responded to this desire, but I have no doubt that the next elections will reflect this public yearning for parties that will advance freedom of religion and equality.”

Rabbi Uri Regev: The public desires a civil government coalition that is essential for pursuing a civil national agenda. Netanyahu has not responded to this desire, but I have no doubt that the next elections will reflect this public yearning for parties that will advance freedom of religion and equality.

According to the Religion and State Index, Lapid’s entry into politics should cause worry for Kadima, as well as for the Likkud. The study shows that 71% of Kadima voters support Lapid entering into political life, 40% of whom would like to see him heading an independent party. Among Likkud voters – 47% support Lapid’s entering politics, 24% of whom – as leader of an independent party.

In response to an additional question, 34% of the respondents said they are very likely or somewhat likely to vote for a new party, which will advance religious freedom and the equal shouldering of civic responsibilities. This is a consistent finding that repeatedly appears in the last three consecutive Indices. 45% of Israeli secular Jews said they were very likely to vote for a new religious freedom party. Kadima has reason to worry most; one of every two Kadima voters [49%] said they are very likely to vote this way. Other secular parties also have significant reason to worry: 47% of Labor and Meretz voters, 33% of Likkud voters and 28% of Yisrael Beitenu voters said the same.