63% favor civil marriage

Two-thirds of the Jewish population in Israel are in favor of civil marriage, but only one-third would choose non-religious marriage if they had the option.

28/07/2011 11:23

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Russian immigrants marry an informal marriage ceremony on Valentine's Dayon Dizengoff Square. The bride is not recognized in Israel as a Jew, so the couple can not marry in Israel officially. 04.08.2009. Photography: Miriam Alster, Flash 90

Wednesday, the Hiddush Movement – For Religious Freedom and Equality released the findings of a study conducted by Dr. Guy Ben-Porat and Dr. Yariv Feniger of Ben-Gurion University, showing that two-thirds of the Jewish population in Israel are in favor of civil marriage, but only one-third would choose non-religious marriage if they had the option.

According to the researchers, the difference between the general support and the personal interest is likely the reason that the big parties have failed to promote civil marriage.

The study, based on a survey conducted at Tel Aviv's University's Social Sciences Faculty, included 605 respondents constituting a representative sample of the

53.8% said they would definitely or likely choose civil marriage

adult Jewish population in Israel. It revealed that 63% support the option of civil marriage, 25% oppose it and 12% did not respond.

Asked whether they would choose civil marriage if the option existed in Israel, 31.6% of the respondents said they would definitely or likely do so, and 63.8% said they would definitely or likely not do so.

Among seculars, 53.8% said they would definitely or likely choose civil marriage.

"Ahead of the next elections, we must demand that the parties commit to a civil government that will carry out a civil revolution, including civil marriage," said Hiddush Director Rabbi Uri Regev.

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